The Justice Department and FBI announced Wednesday that they have disrupted a Chinese government-backed hacking group that has conducted targeted cyberattacks against hundreds of entities in the United States for years. The targets included federal agencies, hospitals, and military organizations.
The group, identified as being sponsored by the Chinese government, is accused of engaging in sophisticated and persistent intrusions. Among the notable agencies targeted were NASA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Energy. The U.S. Senate and the Federal Reserve were also listed as targets.
Details regarding the specific methods used by the hacking group and the extent of the data compromised were not immediately released. The Justice Department and FBI stated that their actions are aimed at disrupting the group's operations and preventing future attacks. The announcement underscores ongoing concerns about state-sponsored cyber threats emanating from China, which have previously impacted a wide range of U.S. interests.