China has been blamed for a mass cyberattack that has struck all institutions of government in Australia.
The attack has affected political parties, official organisations and agencies, education, health, as well as key industries and critical infrastructure.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed last night that a “state-based cyber-actor” was behind the attacks, but said he would not name the country.
“What I can confirm, with confidence, based on the advice, the technical advice that we have received, is that this is the action of a state-based actor with significant capabilities,” he said.
He added: “We know it is a sophisticated state-based cyber-actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting and the trade craft used.
“There aren’t too many state-based actors who have those capabilities.”
Three sources close to the Australian government and briefed on the attack said Australia believed China to be the culprit.
"There is a high degree of confidence that China is behind the attacks," one government source told the Reuters news agency, insisting on anonymity.
Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told The Australian newspaper that it was “very clear” that China was behind the cyberattacks.
Relations between Australia and China have soured in during the coronavirus pandemic, with Beijing imposing harsh sanctions on Australian exports, and suspending some of its own imports of beef.
Tensions have hiked since Mr Morrison called for an international investigation into the origins of the pandemic, with Beijing telling tourists and students to stay away from Australia, citing racism fears.
China's embassy in Canberra did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cyber security experts have suggested that only China, Russia, Iran and North Korea would have the capability to launch such a widespread hacking operation.
Mr Morrison said he had discussed the attack with Downing Street overnight.
“I spoke to Boris Johnson last night about a range of matters, including this one and there are a number of engagements with our allies overnight,” he said.
Mr Morrison said that there had been no “large-scale personal data breaches” of private information, but the attacks had been increasing in frequency “over many months”.
On Tuesday, Marise Payne, Australia’s foreign minister, hit back at China for spreading disinformation during the pandemic that “contributes to a climate of fear and division”, while warning Canberra would be unafraid to be more confident on the world stage.
The Reuters news agency has previously reported that Australian intelligence agencies suspected China of carrying out a hack of Australia’s top political parties and parliament in 2019. Canberra declined to comment.
The Australian National University was also struck by a hacking operation that targeted student and staff details last year.
