> I feel like it's only a matter of time before we see some devastating compromise(s) of security using the OPM hack and/or hacks of private data sources.
I'm willing to bet that the devastating compromises thanks to the OPM hack have already happened, and that they're either classified, or, even scarier, the USG doesn't even know about them yet (e.g. people blackmailed into being spies who haven't yet been caught).
Yeah it is really frightening to think about. Cautious moles were hard to catch even before some of these breaches. There could be an exponential increase of compromised people in cleared environments and like you said, we might not even be aware yet.
And even then, our counter-espionage resources in all likelihood are not enough to address a massive increase in the threat.
We should look out for suicides. Someone who's given the choice between destroying his family and betraying his country might be pretty likely to off himself.
If the Chinese have compromising information, the NSA and/or CIA probably has the same and more. I think it's unlikely that we don't "know" about it, in fact could be using it as a way to turn compromised individuals into double agents.
I'm willing to bet that the devastating compromises thanks to the OPM hack have already happened, and that they're either classified, or, even scarier, the USG doesn't even know about them yet (e.g. people blackmailed into being spies who haven't yet been caught).