The Foreign Office’s servers have been breached by hackers, with claims suggesting that Chinese hackers have obtained access to confidential data and information. Business Minister Sir Chris Bryant acknowledged the breach of Government servers but refrained from confirming Chinese involvement.
Sir Chris mentioned ongoing discussions with the Information Commissioner regarding the impacted parties, expressing a belief in the relatively low risk of individuals being compromised. The investigation into the breach began in October.
Recent reports indicated that the China-linked cyber group, Storm-1849, targeted government servers in October, raising concerns about potential data theft. Storm-1849, known for cyber espionage activities, was previously held responsible by the UK government for “malicious” cyber campaigns against MPs and the Electoral Commission in 2024.
In response to inquiries about the breach, Sir Chris stated on BBC Breakfast that efforts were made to swiftly address the security gap and that discussions with the Information Commissioner were ongoing to determine the extent of the impact. He refrained from confirming any link to China due to the ongoing investigation.
The trade minister emphasized that cyber attacks are a prevalent aspect of modern life, citing previous incidents at prominent organizations like JLR, Marks and Spencer’s, and the British Library. The government remains vigilant against potential cyber threats, recognizing the constant risk to government facilities.
A Government spokesperson emphasized the seriousness of the cyber incident investigation, underscoring the commitment to upholding the security of systems and data.
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