Japan and Korea join Australian-led pushback on Chinese hacking

An advisory led by Australia, with Japan and Korea joining, has accused a Chinese spy agency of targeting government and private sector networks in Australia and the region. The APT40 group, linked to Beijing's Ministry of State Security, was identified for cyber espionage activities. This marks a significant international pushback against Beijing's actions, with the first Australian-led technical attribution of cyber attacks to a Chinese state-sponsored actor. The Australian Signals Directorate highlighted APT40's ongoing threat, ability to exploit vulnerabilities rapidly, and conduct reconnaissance on target networks. Partners like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, and Japan have supported this attribution. The Home Affairs secretary ordered an audit of Commonwealth agencies' technology due to rising concerns about foreign cyber threats. China has denied the accusations, emphasizing its stance against cyber attacks and the importance of cyberspace security. Australia aims to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and defense ties with regional partners to enhance national security.