China has rebutted the accusations made by the US against the Chinese group known as Volt Typhoon, dismissing claims that the group is sponsored by the Chinese government.
In a new report released by the National Response Center to Computer Viruses of China (CNCERT), it is stated that the US campaign to link Volt Typhoon to the Chinese government is part of a strategy to secure funding from Congress under the guise of combating the “Chinese threat.” The full report can be found here.
The Five Eyes alliance countries jointly expressed concerns on May 24, 2023, regarding the activities of Volt Typhoon, alleging its ties to China. These claims were primarily based on findings by Microsoft, however, Chinese experts conducted their own investigation and concluded that the group’s actions align more with typical cybercrime activities lacking state support.
Volt Typhoon is particularly focused on reconnaissance, with suspicions arising that the group is part of broader attempts to compromise critical infrastructure in Western countries, including seaports, internet providers, and utilities.
The Volt Typhoon campaign was initially uncovered in May 2023, but the hackers intensified their operations towards the end of the year, altering some of their tactics. The prevalence of these hacker attacks prompted discussions between the White House and private tech companies, with the US government seeking assistance in tracking cybercriminal activities.
China’s Foreign Ministry has accused Microsoft and other American tech companies of colluding to fabricate and circulate false information regarding Chinese government support for cyberattacks on the US. The motive, according to China, is to secure funding from Congress and secure lucrative state contracts.
The report also raises concerns about two American companies identified in relation to Volt Typhoon, alleging that they are linked to the US government and were awarded substantial contracts from US defense entities shortly before releasing their reports. These circumstances cast doubts on the credibility and intentions behind such allegations.
Additionally, with the upcoming US presidential elections, politicians from both parties are leveraging the narrative of the Chinese threat to garner public support and bolster their positions, highlighting the political agenda and bias in the cybersecurity discourse.
The CNCERT report calls on the United States to cease cyberattacks against China and halt the dissemination of misinformation, asserting that such actions undermine the international order in cyberspace and strain relations between the two nations.