Chinese state-backed cyberattacks hack off potential adversaries

Hong Kong, December 5 (ANI): Few doubt that China is responsible for a massive campaign of computer hacking and nefarious cyber activities. Beijing denies any culpability for cyberattacks, calling such accusations “baseless”, but the weight of evidence rests squarely against China.

The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, in its 2023 Annual Threat Assessment, recognized the threat: “China probably currently represents the broadest, most active and persistent cyber espionage threat to US government and private-sector networks. China’s cyber pursuits and its industry’s export of related technologies increase the threats of aggressive cyber operations against the US homeland.”If this were not damning enough, the report continued: “China almost certainly is capable of launching cyberattacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure services within the United States, including against oil and gas pipelines, and rail systems.” This assessment was borne out by a Chinese state-sponsored threat group called Volt Typhoon, responsible for attacks this year, some of the largest ever, on American infrastructure. Five Eyes partners publicly disclosed the worrying threat posed by Volt Typhoon in May, since the group’s activities represent far more than the usual espionage conducted by nations. The group preplaced technical implants and achieved long-term access into adversaries’ networks, such prepositioning showing maturity in the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) joint information warfare capabilities.

Pukhraj Singh, Director of the Centre for Epistemic Security, wrote for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI): “The military cyber elements seem to have been extricated from the stovepipes of the theater commands and are ready to produce strategic effects extending beyond the Indo-Pacific. And the integration isn’t just militaristic but also political: the PLA is the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) army. Strategic cyber operations are directly sanctioned by the Central Military Commission, and ultimately authorized by Xi.”Singh further posited: “The intelligence that has trickled through from the Five Eyespoints to interesting doctrinal and strategic developments in…