ATF investigating ‘major’ cyber incident after ransomware group claim
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ByDavid DiMolfetta,
Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
August 27, 2026 10:17 AM ET
The agency says the affected system was isolated from its broader network and eForms platform but has not disclosed whether data was stolen.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating a cybersecurity event affecting one of its systems, which Justice Department officials have designated a “major incident” under federal guidelines.
The disclosure came after the ransomware group Qilin listed ATF on its dark-web leak site and claimed to have compromised the agency. ATF has not attributed the incident to Qilin or said whether ransomware was involved.
The bureau, housed within the Justice Department, said the affected system operates separately from its main computer network. The agency found no indication that the incident spread to its broader network, its electronic firearms application platform or any other...
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