Chinese Hackers Target US Navy

Over the past 18 months, Chinese hackers have had several successful breaches against US Navy contractors. Reportedly, the hackers stole information on missile plans and ship maintenance data. The hackers accessed multiple contractors’ systems, most of which don’t have the resources to secure their networks.

Earlier this year, the infiltrators stole plans for a “supersonic anti-ship missile” that US submarines were going to use. They also reportedly targeted military research labs at universities.

What is the US Navy doing about these attacks?

Navy Secretary Richard Spencer heads this branch of the military that is increasingly under threat. He demanded reviews on cybersecurity weaknesses. He wrote in an internal memo that the “attacks on our networks are not new, but attempts to steal critical information are increasing in both severity and sophistication.” He went on to say that “we must act decisively to fully understand both the nature of these attacks and how to prevent further loss of vital military information.”

So, what’s next?

Unfortunately, Chinese hacking activity is on the rise in the US. A National Security Agency has also suggested Chinese actors have prepared to elevate their attacks from spying and stealing intellectual property to targeting critical infrastructure. Some of this critical infrastructure includes healthcare, energy, transportation, and finance.

Additionally, US officials suspect China might have been behind the Marriott hack that exposed the personal information for up to 500 million people.