Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison refused to say it, but experts are quite happy to blame China for the “sophisticated” cyber attacks on Australian private and public organisations.
The prime minister confirmed Australia has been the target of a cyber-attack by a foreign entity.
“We know it is a sophisticated, state-based cyber actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting and the tradecraft used,” Mr Morrison said on Friday.
But he declined to say which country was behind the attacks. Asked if it was China, Mr Morrison said: “The Australian government is not making any public attribution about these matters.
“We are very confident that this is the actions of a state-based actor.”
“We have not gone any further than that. I can’t control what speculation others might engage in.”
ABC television said government sources had confirmed the attacker was China, while Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Peter Jennings told The Australian it was “very clear” that the Asian giant was behind the cyber attack.
If true, it would add further friction between the two countries, which have fallen out over the origin of COVID-19, trade and most recently the sentencing to death of an Australian drug smuggler. Mr Morrison said these were not new cyber risks but were specific, targeted activities and he wanted to advise Australians and organisations so they can take action to protect themselves.
He said the investigations conducted so far have not revealed any large-scale personal data breaches. Australia’s security agencies are working closely with allies and partners to manage it.
“I spoke to (British Prime Minister) Boris Johnson last night about a range of matters, including this one and there are a number of engagements with our allies overnight,” Mr Morrison said.
The prime minister also spoke to Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese on Thursday night on the issue, as well as state and territory leaders.
“Cyber attacks are a real issue,” Mr Albanese told reporters in the NSW town of Thredbo.
“What the evidence is, is that these attacks are expected to be more often.”
Last month a joint statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Cyber Security Centre said there had been “unacceptable malicious” cyber activity.
“Of particular concern is reports that malicious cyber actors are seeking to damage or impair the operation of hospitals, medical services and facilities, and crisis response organisations outside of Australia,” it said.
