Chinese hackers infiltrate the US Treasury Department, raising serious concerns about national security and data protection. The Chinese government denies any involvement.
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| Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached the US Treasury Department, gaining access to employee workstations and unclassified documents. The Treasury Department has launched an investigation into the incident. Image: U.S. Department of the Treasury |
Washington, USA - December 31, 2024:
The US Treasury Department confirmed a significant cyberattack earlier this month, revealing that Chinese state-sponsored hackers had breached their systems. The attack, deemed a "major incident" by the department, allowed the hackers to access employee workstations and some unclassified documents.
The breach occurred through a vulnerability in a third-party service provider, BeyondTrust, which offers remote technical support to Treasury employees. The Chinese hackers exploited this weakness to gain access to the department's systems.
While the extent of the data accessed remains under investigation, officials confirmed that the hackers were likely seeking information rather than financial gain.
The Treasury Department is working with the FBI and other agencies to investigate the full impact of the breach and implement measures to prevent future attacks.
The Chinese government has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack, labeling the accusations as "smear attacks" and "unfounded speculation." This incident further escalates tensions between the two nations, following a series of cyberattacks attributed to Chinese actors, including a recent breach of telecom companies that potentially compromised the phone records of millions of Americans.
The Treasury Department breach highlights the growing threat of sophisticated cyberattacks from state-sponsored actors. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within government systems and the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information.