Microsoft and Western Intelligence Accuse China of Hacking Critical Infrastructure

Microsoft, in collaboration with the “Five Eyes” intelligence network comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, has attributed cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in the US to the Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Volt Typhoon. The attacks, active since mid-2021, targeted sectors such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology, and education, both in Guam and the US. The espionage-linked group utilized sophisticated techniques applicable beyond the US borders, prompting concerns about potential disruptions to critical communications infrastructure during future crises.

China dismissed the allegations, labeling them a “disinformation campaign” orchestrated by the Five Eyes coalition. Microsoft expressed “moderate confidence” that the intent behind the attack was to disrupt communications infrastructure, particularly between the US and the Asian region, anticipating potential crises such as those involving Taiwan. The island, claimed by China, remains a focal point for Beijing’s military activities, and the US is committed to assisting Taiwan’s defense.

The cyber-campaign, attributed to Volt Typhoon, employs “living off the land” techniques, utilizing file-less malware to exploit existing programs and engage in “hands-on-keyboard” activities. The group blends with normal network activity, making detection challenging. Western intelligence agencies issued joint advisories, offering guidelines to identify and protect against these cyber threats across critical infrastructure sectors, emphasizing the global applicability of the techniques employed by the hacking group. This revelation follows earlier tensions in US-China relations, including the downing of a Chinese spy balloon in February, contributing to the complexities of the geopolitical landscape.

Stay on top of supply chain news with The Supply Chain Report. Enhance your international trade knowledge with free tools from ADAMftd.com.

#Microsoft #FiveEyes #Australia #Canada #NewZealand #UnitedKingdom #UnitedStates #VoltTyphoon #Cyberattacks #CriticalInfrastructure #CyberEspionage #China #Disinformation #Malware #LivingOffTheLand #Taiwan #Geopolitics #Cybersecurity #CriticalSectors #ITSecurity #CyberThreats #MilitaryTensions #USChinaRelations