14 DAY TRIAL // Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its systems have been targeted in a high-tech espionage operation. It’s believed the hackers have likely stolen information on Belgium’s foreign policy.
So who is the main suspect in this attack? The United States National Security Agency (NSA), of course. Since Edward Snowden leaked some details on the agency’s inner workings, the NSA has been named the prime suspect in numerous cyber espionage operations.
The Federal Prosecutor has been called in to investigate the breach. A spokesperson of the Federal Prosecutor, cited by De Tijd, said that a piece of data-stealing malware was placed on the ministry’s systems in early 2012.
Authorities have refrained from blaming the NSA for the hack. However, sources close to the investigation name the US spy agency as the main suspect.
Some say the NSA might also be responsible for the recent Belgacom hack. Recent Snowden leaks have revealed that the agency has a special program called “Western Europe and Strategic Partnerships,” which focuses on the foreign policy and trading in 8 countries. Belgium is one of them.