Netherlands Confirms China's Salt Typhoon Targeted Small Dutch Telcos

Dutch intelligence agencies have revealed that the notorious Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon has been targeting organizations in the Netherlands. In a joint statement published on August 28 on the Dutch Ministry of Defence's website, the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) confirmed their findings after conducting independent investigations.

The MIVD and AIVD have stated that they have independently confirmed parts of the US findings regarding Salt Typhoon's activities, which were previously reported by several US agencies, including the FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The US investigations, conducted in late 2024, revealed that Salt Typhoon had launched a broad and significant cyber espionage campaign targeting US telecom firms.

While Dutch organizations "most likely were not as heavily targeted as those in the US," the MIVD and AIVD have identified victims in the Netherlands. Their probe has observed evidence indicating that Salt Typhoon gained access to the routers of Dutch targets, primarily small internet service providers (ISPs) and hosting providers.

However, their investigation concluded that there is no evidence that the hackers penetrated deeper into those companies' internal networks. The agencies have emphasized that while the scope of the attack may not be as extensive in the Netherlands, the risks posed by Salt Typhoon's activities remain significant.

"Chinese cyber operations have become so advanced that constant vigilance and proactive measures are required to detect and mitigate threats against Dutch interests," stated the joint statement on the Dutch Ministry of Defence website. "While risks can be reduced, they cannot be entirely eliminated, posing a significant challenge to the Netherlands' cyber resilience."

To address this challenge, the MIVD and AIVD have collaborated with the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to share threat intelligence with affected organizations and relevant stakeholders wherever possible. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the country's cybersecurity posture and reduce the impact of such attacks.

The Impact of Salt Typhoon's Activities on Dutch Organizations

As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for organizations in the Netherlands to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their networks and systems. The recent confirmation by Dutch intelligence agencies highlights the importance of ongoing cybersecurity measures and regular updates.

The Significance of Salt Typhoon's Espionage Campaign

Salt Typhoon's activities have far-reaching implications for organizations globally, particularly those operating in critical infrastructure sectors such as telecommunications. As highlighted in recent investigations, this group has demonstrated its capacity to infiltrate network devices using custom tools, raising concerns about the potential for espionage and cyber sabotage.