The United States imposed sanctions against Chinese hackers and companies involved in attacks on the US Ministry of Finance and telecommunication companies. Among those targeted were Hacker Yin Kachen and Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology, linked to the Salt Typhoon cyber group.
Yin Kachen, known to be associated with China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), has a history of engaging in cyber attacks for over a decade. The Ministry of Finance revealed that this hacker managed to breach the computers of senior officials, including Minister Janet Yellen. Although the hackers accessed over 50 files, including sensitive sanctions data, they were unable to breach into email or secret documents.
The Salt Typhoon cyber group, initially identified by Microsoft in 2019, has been actively targeting telecommunication companies. Their attacks have resulted in the theft of user data, including details of calls made by high-ranking individuals. These incidents have underscored the need for enhanced security measures.
The US Treasury Department has put forward new measures to fortify the financial system, such as elevating standards for third-party suppliers and safeguarding cyberosis information. Jessica Rosenvorsel, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), emphasized the urgency of updating cybersecurity standards to confront contemporary threats.
Additionally, Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology, accused of having close affiliations with MSS and overseeing telecommunication systems, was also impacted by the sanctions. This action marks a significant escalation in the US’s efforts to combat cyber attacks originating from China, following similar actions against other Chinese companies like Sichuan Silence Information Technology in the past year.
The US Treasury Department remains committed to collaborating with federal agencies to shield critical infrastructure and identify perpetrators who pose a threat to national security.