China has announced efforts to track down three alleged U.S. operatives accused of orchestrating cyberattacks on critical infrastructure during the Asian Games held in Harbin, February. The Chinese police identified the suspects as Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson, claiming they operated through the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). The investigation details no information about the location of the suspects.
Attack on Critical Infrastructure and Personal Data
The alleged cyberattacks targeted the management systems of the Asian Games, including areas like registration, competition entries, and travel, which stored sensitive personal data of participants. The attacks continued throughout the event, aiming to disrupt its normal operations. These actions also reportedly targeted critical infrastructure in the Heilongjiang province, including areas such as energy, transportation, water, telecommunications, and defense research institutions. Huawei, a major Chinese technology company, was also named as a target.
The report alleges that the NSA operatives transmitted encrypted data packets to devices running Microsoft Windows within the targeted province, further complicating the investigation. Chinese authorities have condemned these actions, calling them “extremely malicious” and harmful to national security.
China’s Response and U.S. Criticism
At a press briefing, China’s Foreign Ministry called on the U.S. to cease cyberattacks against Chinese infrastructure. While no solid evidence has been presented yet, the Chinese government vows to take the necessary measures to protect its cybersecurity. Additionally, China has expressed its concerns through official channels, urging the U.S. to adopt a more responsible stance on cybersecurity.
The accusations come amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, with both sides accusing each other of cyberattacks. Recently, the U.S. named Chinese nationals working for military hacking units, leading to the issuance of wanted posters. Similarly, just last month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced efforts to disrupt Chinese cyber threats, targeting 12 Chinese nationals, including law enforcement officers.
Cybersecurity in U.S.-China Relations
The U.S. government has repeatedly named China as the most persistent cyber threat to American infrastructure. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence highlighted China’s cyber activities as a significant threat to U.S. networks, both in government and the private sector.
