14 DAY TRIAL // A report from ABC’s Four Corners Program reveals that numerous Australian private companies and government departments are being targeted by Chinese hackers. The cybercriminals are attempting to gain access to national security secrets and other sensitive information.
According to ABC, the hackers have targeted various networks, including the ones of the Prime Minister and the Department of Defense.
It’s believed that they’ve also gained access to the plans for the new Canberra headquarters of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). The attackers allegedly gained complete access to plans for security systems, floor plans and other valuable information.
The data on the new headquarters was not obtained from ASIO directly, but from an unnamed third-party contractor.
In addition to the spy agency’s building plans, cybercriminals are also accused of accessing the systems of an Australian firm that supplies secret communications equipment. From this company the hackers stole design information for a military radio system used by Australia and its allies.
On the other hand, Australia’s Foreign Minister Bob Carr has refused to confirm ABC’s reports regarding the cyberattacks.
Carr says that the recent cyber espionage allegations will not impact Australia’s new strategic partnership with China, The Guardian reports.
“I won't comment on whether the Chinese have done what is being alleged or not,” Carr noted.
“I won't comment on matters of intelligence and security for the obvious reason: we don't want to share with the world and potential aggressors what we know about what they might be doing, and how they might be doing it.”
However, it’s worth pointing out that Australia banned Chinese telecoms firm Huawei from the development of the country’s national broadband network.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard hasn’t provided any clarifications, but she has named ABC’s reports as being “inaccurate.”