Australia Warns of Chinese Hackers Targeting Key Systems

Post by : Sameer Saifi

Australia’s top spy has warned that hackers linked to the Chinese government have been trying to break into Australia’s major communication and power systems. The warning came from Mike Burgess, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), during a business conference in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Burgess said that hackers working for China’s government and military have tried to enter Australia’s telecommunications network and other important infrastructure. These include systems that control electricity, water, transport, and even banking services. He warned that such attacks could cause serious damage to the country’s economy and daily life if they succeed.

According to Burgess, espionage—spying through both digital and traditional means—cost Australia around 12.5 billion Australian dollars ($8.1 billion) last year. This includes about 2 billion dollars in lost trade secrets and stolen ideas.

He named two Chinese hacker groups, “Salt Typhoon” and “Volt Typhoon,” which are believed to be connected to China’s intelligence services. He said Salt Typhoon had already hacked U.S. communication systems and had also been “probing” Australia’s networks. Volt Typhoon, he explained, was preparing for possible sabotage by targeting critical systems in the United States—and similar efforts were being noticed in Australia.

“We have seen Chinese hackers probing our critical infrastructure as well,” Burgess said. “These are not imaginary threats. Foreign governments have skilled teams studying how to cause serious disruption.”

He warned that if hackers attacked successfully, it could lead to widespread chaos—cutting off water and power supplies, stopping trains and flights, and even blocking access to banks. He said such an attack could harm the economy and daily life of Australians in a big way.

Other dangers include cyberattacks that could harm Australian companies competing in international markets, or attacks that might spread false information to cause panic during elections.

China’s embassy in Australia has not responded to these new claims, but China usually denies all accusations of hacking.

Burgess also said that every time he talks publicly about China’s hacking activities, Chinese officials complain to the Australian government. However, he made it clear that these complaints will not stop him from warning the public about security risks.

Last week, speaking at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Burgess said, “It won’t stop my resolve.” He emphasized that protecting Australia’s national security is his top duty.

Experts say this warning shows how serious cyber threats have become in recent years. Many countries now see hacking not only as a crime but also as a weapon used in modern conflicts. Governments across the world are strengthening their cyber defenses to protect their citizens and industries from similar threats.

Australia, in particular, has faced multiple cyberattacks in recent years targeting government websites, hospitals, and universities. With the rise of digital systems, experts warn that countries must invest more in cybersecurity to avoid economic loss and protect public trust.

The Australian government is expected to increase its funding and cooperation with international partners to stop future attacks. For now, the message from the country’s spy chief is clear — cyber threats are real, and protecting the nation’s digital systems is as important as guarding its borders.

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