JEFFREY BROWN:

We hear about these high-level data breaches all the time. Today's story connects some of the dots in a chilling way, claiming, for example, that at least one clandestine network of American engineers and scientists who work with U.S. undercover agents overseas has already been compromised.

One of the article's authors, L.A. Times reporter Brian Bennett, joins me now.

And welcome to you.

So, we hear about these acts. This is about what happens afterwards, right, cross-indexing and putting together the information. What kind of clues are they looking for?