A recent breach at the U.S. Treasury Department by a Chinese state-sponsored hacker highlights growing concerns over U.S. cybersecurity, following reports of deeper penetrations in telecommunications.**
Major Cyber Breach: U.S. Treasury Department Targeted by Chinese Hackers**
Major Cyber Breach: U.S. Treasury Department Targeted by Chinese Hackers**
Investigation reveals a significant hacking incident linked to state-sponsored Chinese actors, raising alarm over U.S. cybersecurity vulnerabilities.**
In a troubling development for national security, the U.S. Treasury Department has announced it was hacked by a state-sponsored actor from China, as confirmed by the Biden administration on Monday. This breach allowed unauthorized access to the workstations of federal employees and unclassified documents, amplifying existing concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities in government systems.
The department revealed that following an alert from the third-party software firm BeyondTrust on December 8, it was determined that a security key had been compromised, allowing the unknown hacker to remotely infiltrate certain Treasury workstations. In response, the Treasury has collaborated with the FBI, the intelligence community, and other investigative bodies to assess the breach's full extent and potential implications.
While the affected service has been taken offline, Treasury officials asserted there is currently no evidence indicating continued access by the Chinese state actor. Emphasizing the severity of the situation, a Treasury spokesperson reassured that measures would continue to enhance the protection of sensitive data within the financial system.
While specific timing of the breach remains unclear, the Treasury Department has promised additional insights in an upcoming supplemental report to Congress. This incident follows recently reported hacking activities by China’s Salt Typhoon group, which reportedly compromised U.S. telecommunications systems, listening in on conversations by key figures such as Donald J. Trump and others, heightening fears regarding the security of U.S. communications and data integrity.
Ana Swanson, a seasoned journalist specializing in trade and international economics, covered this story for The Times.
The department revealed that following an alert from the third-party software firm BeyondTrust on December 8, it was determined that a security key had been compromised, allowing the unknown hacker to remotely infiltrate certain Treasury workstations. In response, the Treasury has collaborated with the FBI, the intelligence community, and other investigative bodies to assess the breach's full extent and potential implications.
While the affected service has been taken offline, Treasury officials asserted there is currently no evidence indicating continued access by the Chinese state actor. Emphasizing the severity of the situation, a Treasury spokesperson reassured that measures would continue to enhance the protection of sensitive data within the financial system.
While specific timing of the breach remains unclear, the Treasury Department has promised additional insights in an upcoming supplemental report to Congress. This incident follows recently reported hacking activities by China’s Salt Typhoon group, which reportedly compromised U.S. telecommunications systems, listening in on conversations by key figures such as Donald J. Trump and others, heightening fears regarding the security of U.S. communications and data integrity.
Ana Swanson, a seasoned journalist specializing in trade and international economics, covered this story for The Times.
