Australia’s top intelligence official has accused Chinese state-backed hackers of probing the country’s telecommunications systems and critical infrastructure, warning that such cyber activities could one day disrupt essential services and harm the economy.
Speaking at a business conference in Melbourne on Wednesday, Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said hackers working for Chinese government intelligence and the military were actively investigating vulnerabilities across Australia’s networks.
“Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon are hackers working for Chinese government intelligence and their military,” Burgess said, referring to two cyber groups that Western intelligence agencies have previously linked to Beijing.
“Salt Typhoon has been probing our telecommunications networks here in Australia, just as they did in the United States.”
He said Volt Typhoon, which compromised U.S. critical infrastructure last year, appeared to be preparing for possible sabotage operations. “We have seen Chinese hackers probing our critical infrastructure as well,” Burgess added.
The ASIO chief warned that cyber sabotage could have devastating consequences, including shutting down telecommunications, disrupting banks and transport systems, and cutting off water and power supplies.
“I assure you; these are not hypotheticals – foreign governments have elite teams investigating these possibilities right now,” he said.
Burgess estimated that espionage and cyber theft cost Australia about A$12.5 billion ($8.1 billion) last year, including roughly A$2 billion in stolen trade secrets and intellectual property.
He also cautioned that Australian firms could be targeted to undermine them as trade competitors or to sow panic during elections.
China’s embassy in Canberra did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Beijing routinely denies allegations of state-sponsored hacking.
Burgess, who has previously faced diplomatic pushback for speaking publicly about Chinese cyber threats, said such pressure would not deter him.
“Chinese officials have made multiple complaints about my comments,” he noted, “but it won’t stop my resolve.”
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
