Chinese Hackers Targeting Australia: Spy Chief Warns of Espionage

China-Linked Hackers Targeting Australian Infrastructure

Mike Burgess, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), has issued a warning regarding ongoing cyber activity. He stated that hackers with ties to the Chinese government are actively investigating Australia’s essential infrastructure, and have, in certain instances, successfully breached security protocols.

Pre-Positioning for Sabotage and Espionage

Burgess revealed that at least two distinct hacking groups, supported by the Chinese government, are strategically positioning themselves for potential acts of sabotage and espionage. This assessment aligns with similar cautions voiced by the United States government.

U.S. authorities have highlighted the possibility that these persistent hacking campaigns could lead to significant economic and societal disruptions.

Volt Typhoon and Critical Infrastructure

According to Burgess, a hacking group identified as Volt Typhoon is specifically targeting networks vital to the operation of critical infrastructure. These include systems governing power distribution, water supplies, and transportation networks.

Successful breaches by this group could result in interruptions to essential services like energy and water, potentially causing widespread outages across the country.

Previously, the U.S. government indicated that Chinese hackers have been embedding malware within critical infrastructure systems for years. This malware is designed to enable disruptive cyberattacks upon activation.

U.S. officials have suggested that Volt Typhoon’s objectives may involve hindering the U.S.’s ability to respond to a potential future Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The Severity of the Threat

“I do not believe we fully grasp the potential for disruption and devastation this poses,” Burgess emphasized during his address. He clarified that once access is gained, the subsequent actions depend on the hackers’ intentions, rather than their technical capabilities.

Salt Typhoon and Telecommunications

Burgess also cautioned about another China-backed hacking group, known as Salt Typhoon. This group specializes in infiltrating the networks of telecommunications companies to acquire call records and other confidential data.

Salt Typhoon has compromised over 200 phone and internet providers, including major companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen, as well as numerous cloud and data center operators.

In response to these breaches, the FBI has recommended that individuals in the U.S. transition to end-to-end encrypted messaging applications to safeguard their communications from unauthorized access.