A cyber espionage group believed to have targeted a wide range of American entities has also set its sights on a Canadian telecommunications firm, as per a warning from Canada’s cyber intelligence agency. Referred to as Salt Typhoon and linked to Beijing, this group has garnered attention once again following a collective caution from numerous international government bodies regarding a continuous and intentional cyber campaign.
The joint statement, spearheaded by the U.S. and supported by intelligence agencies from Australia and Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE), revealed that Salt Typhoon aimed at various sectors including telecommunications, government, transportation, lodging, and military infrastructure networks. The stolen data could potentially empower Chinese intelligence services to monitor global communications and movements of their targets.
Cynthia Kaiser, a former high-ranking official at the FBI overseeing hacking investigations, expressed disbelief that any American could have escaped the extensive campaign’s reach. While some of Salt Typhoon’s activities were previously disclosed, the recent joint statement suggests a more extensive and persistent assault than initially perceived.
Reports from U.S. agencies last year indicated Salt Typhoon’s involvement in breaching multiple telecommunications networks for espionage purposes. Allegedly, devices used by U.S. President Donald Trump and his former running mate, JD Vance, were among the targets of this hacking operation.
The FBI condemned the group for recklessly stealing personal data from millions of Americans and engaging in surveillance that aligned with the Chinese Communist Party’s interests. The violation of privacy extended beyond the U.S., affecting global individuals.
Despite declining to respond to inquiries about the impact on Canadians, CSE acknowledged the threat posed by Salt Typhoon and its targeting of Canadian telecommunications companies. The agency warned that state-backed actors compromised network devices of a Canadian telecom entity, potentially leading to data exposure and surveillance activities.
Salt Typhoon’s global cyber operations since 2021 have exploited common vulnerabilities and weaknesses to achieve notable success. While network operators were provided with mitigation suggestions, cybersecurity experts emphasized the challenges faced by average users in defending against such sophisticated attacks. They called for increased cybersecurity focus in national defense strategies to combat the evolving digital threats effectively.