Trevor Hughes and Jessica Guynn:

The pattern of attacks [on fiber-optic telecommunications lines] raises serious questions about the glaring vulnerability of critical Internet infrastructure, said JJ Thompson, CEO of Rook Security, a security consulting and services provider in Indianapolis.

Michael Adams:

The U.S. government either doesn't understand or is obfuscating the national-security implications of this cyberattack. These people either need serious help or need to come clean now.

Steve Ragan:

What if records were not only taken, but some were added as well? Would OPM be able to tell?

Benjamin Wittes:

Would somebody ... really want to go through such an intrusive examination, knowing all the while that the examination itself might (will?) expose that person and their family at least to scrutiny by the likes of Russia and China, as well as possible social and professional embarrassment?

I have no way of knowing myself, but I can understand if the answer for many people -- at least until the gov'ment cleans up its act -- is a resounding "hell no."