Only in US more than 30,000 organisations faced Microsoft Exchange hack
The US and its key allies, including the European Union, the UK and NATO, came out heavily on China and accused the Chinese government of hiring cybercriminals to attack established networks and federal agencies in the West.
The move could have serious repercussions on the already strained US-China relationship. This is a first of its kind joint move by the US and its key allies.
The cyber officials in US are blaming the hackers who are directly linked to the Chinese government, as the recent attacks were one of the largest cyberattacks in US history.
“The United States is deeply concerned that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has fostered an intelligence enterprise that includes contract hackers who also conduct unsanctioned cyber operations worldwide, including for their own personal profit,” the White House said in a detailed statement.
“The United States is deeply concerned that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has fostered an intelligence enterprise that includes contract hackers who also conduct unsanctioned cyber operations worldwide, including for their own personal profit.”
— White House
“As detailed in public charging documents unsealed in October 2018 and July and September 2020, hackers with a history of working for the PRC Ministry of State Security (MSS) have engaged in ransomware attacks, cyber-enabled extortion, crypto-jacking, and rank theft from victims around the world, all for financial gain,” the US government alleged.
Only in US more than 30,000 organisations faced the Microsoft Exchange hack that the US and its allies took serious note of the situation and accused the Chinese government of executing the cybercrime.
“We have raised our concerns about both this incident and the PRC’s broader malicious cyber activity with senior PRC Government officials, making clear that the PRC’s actions threaten security, confidence, and stability in cyberspace,” the US noted.
“By exposing the PRC’s malicious activity, we are continuing the Administration’s efforts to inform and empower system owners and operators to act. We call on private sector companies to follow the Federal government’s lead and take ambitious measures to augment and align cybersecurity investments with the goal of minimising future incidents,” the statement said.