China Accused Of Hacking Australia’s Bureau Of Meteorology

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Chinese state-sponsored hacking of US computer networks has been a frequent feature in headlines in recent years. In this case, Chinese cyber attackers have been aiming at a target somewhat closer to home. China has been accused of hacking Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. The security of sensitive systems in the federal government has been compromised, according to official sources.

It is unclear at this stage whether the motive was commercial, strategic, or a mixture of the two. As innocuous as the Bureau of Meteorology may seem, it occupies a central role in the government’s data conveyance networks. Australia’s largest supercomputers are owned by the Bureau, and it plays a critical role in delivering accurate information to several agencies. The Bureau’s networks are connected to the Department of Defence offices in Canberra. At the very least, the attack could compromise the integrity of meteorological data and Australia’s ability to accurately forecast weather. This, in turn, could cause severe difficulties in the country’s ability to perform military operations and safely navigate commercial aircraft.

In July, the Australian Cyber Security Centre said in a report that “the cyber threat, to Australian organizations, is undeniable, unrelenting and continues to grow.” Australia dealt with over 11,000 cybersecurity threats last year, including 153 that involved “systems of national interest, critical infrastructure and government.”

Spokesman for Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s office said that the cyberattack was perpetrated by “state-sponsored actors and serious organized criminals.” The Prime Minister’s office is aware of “a press report that the Bureau has been the subject of a cyberattack,” however declined to speak of specific cases. The spokesman reiterated that “the Government takes any cyber attacks seriously and is currently reviewing its cyber security policy.”