White House cybersecurity chief: Social Security numbers a ‘flawed system’

Credit: Associated Press/File photo

Credit: Associated Press/File photo

Calling it a “flawed system,” the White House’s cybersecurity coordinator is calling for the end of Social Security numbers as a national identification code.

"I believe the Social Security number has outlived its usefulness," Rob Joyce said Tuesday at The Washington Post's Cybersecurity Summit.

In the wake of the Equifax security breach, the White House is looking for safer ways, based on newer technology, to verify Americans’ identities.

"It's a flawed system that we can't roll back after a breach," Joyce said.

Equifax hackers gained access to the Social Security numbers of more than 145 million Americans in a recent breach, The Hill reported.

Joyce said Congress needs to take some form of action to regulate the cybersecurity of credit bureaus

"It's really clear there needs to be a change," he said.

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