Government servers at the Foreign Office were breached by hackers, raising concerns that sensitive data may have been accessed. Business Minister Sir Chris Bryant acknowledged the security breach but did not confirm whether China was involved in the cyber attack. The Government has been in discussions with the Information Commissioner to assess the impact of the breach, indicating a low risk to individuals. The cyber gang Storm-1849, linked to China, was reported to have targeted the servers, prompting an ongoing investigation that began in October.
Storm-1849, known for cyber espionage activities, was previously accused by the UK government of engaging in malicious cyber campaigns against MPs and the Electoral Commission. Sir Chris mentioned that while the breach occurred, actions were taken swiftly to address the vulnerability. Speculation about the involvement of China in the hack remains unconfirmed as investigations continue.
The trade minister emphasized that cyber attacks are a prevalent challenge in modern society, citing past incidents at major organizations like JLR, Marks and Spencer’s, and the British Library. Government facilities are considered prime targets for such attacks, requiring constant vigilance and response measures. A Government spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment to investigating the cyber incident and ensuring the security of systems and data.
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