Chinese Hackers Suspected in Breach of Powerful DC Law Firm
A powerful Washington, D.C.-based law firm, Wiley Rein, has reported a breach of its email accounts by suspected Chinese hackers. The cyber attack appears to be an intelligence-gathering operation, with the hackers targeting sensitive information related to trade, Taiwan, and US government agencies involved in setting tariffs and reviewing foreign investment.
The breach was disclosed in a memo sent to clients this week, which reviewed evidence to determine that a group affiliated with the Chinese government had accessed messages in the Microsoft 365 accounts of certain Wiley personnel. The notice did not reveal what specific information was accessed or what it might be used for.
A Powerhouse Player in US-China Trade Negotiations
The breach comes at a time when tensions between the two countries are running high. In this spring, the Trump administration escalated America's trade war with China by slapping unprecedented tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States. This move sparked a scramble in both governments to understand each other's positions and has raised concerns about national security.
A Growing Concern for US National Security
The breach of Wiley Rein's email accounts is just the latest suspected Chinese intrusion into a U.S. organization that handles sensitive trade or investment matters. In January, CNN reported that Chinese hackers had breached the U.S. government office that reviews foreign investments for national security risks.
Foreign investment reviews play an important role in the relationship between the world's two biggest economies. The FBI has said that China has a bigger hacking program than all other foreign governments combined, and the agency is still dealing with numerous open investigations into Beijing-linked cyber-espionage.
A Long History of Chinese Cyber Espionage
The hack of Wiley Rein could add to one of the numerous open investigations that the FBI has into Beijing-linked cyber-espionage. The FBI has been investigating a sweeping Chinese compromise of U.S. telecom providers, which targeted the phone communications of senior U.S. leaders, including then-presidential candidate Trump.
China's Cyber Doctrine: Building Long-Term Leverage
"Beijing's cyber doctrine is more than access," said Brett Leatherman, the assistant director of the FBI's Cyber Division. "It's about building long-term leverage." The FBI has been working to contain hackers who have breached U.S. telecom providers and are still investigating other breaches.
A Response from the Chinese Embassy
Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., said in a statement that China "firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cyber crime." However, he also emphasized that China does not tolerate "smearing others without solid evidence."
Mandiant Remediates the Hack
Google-owned security firm Mandiant is remediating the hack, according to Wiley Rein's memo. The exact details of how Mandiant is addressing the breach are not clear.
A Call for Transparency and Cooperation
The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and cooperation between governments and private companies when it comes to cybersecurity threats. As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to rise, it's essential that both sides work together to protect sensitive information and prevent further breaches.