Describing the attack as "modestly sophisticated" but nonetheless the "most organized and systematic" it had ever seen, the Pentagon went on to say that the hack had "all the appearances of a game," and may be part of a contest.
A connection between the attack and goings-on in the Persian Gulf was also discounted.
Fundamental national security does not appear to be immediately threatened by the breach; payroll and personnel files were among those penetrated, for example -- but wouldn't those include information about Linda Tripp, Monica Lewinsky and other intriguing individuals with White House clearance? Just which inquiring minds want to know is a question the Pentagon took the opportunity to raise, saying that much more needs to be done to truly safeguard its systems.