A cyber group acting on behalf of China’s powerful Minister of State Security has been blamed for espionage and hacks targeting the Australian government and private sector networks.

The Australian government has spearheaded the public attribution of malicious cyber activities to state-sponsored group APT40 alongside Five Eyes partners – New Zealand, Canada, the US and UK – and Germany, Japan and Korea.

It’s the first time Australia has taken the lead on a cyber advisory and the first time Japan and Korea have joined the nation in attribution.

The hacking group stole hundreds of usernames and passport words from one Australian entity in April 2022.

The attribution was due to the diligence of the Australian Signals Directorate in uncovering the threat, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday.

“In our current strategic circumstances, these attributions are increasingly important tools in deterring malicious cyber activity,” he said.

Australia would continue to engage with China without compromising on national security or interests, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said cyber intrusions from foreign governments were “one of the most significant threats we face”.

– AAP