Australia Faces Rising Cyber Threats Amid Concerns Over Chinese Espionage

Wed Nov 12 2025 13:42:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australia's spy chief warns of increased risk of cyber sabotage linked to Chinese hackers targeting critical infrastructure, urging vigilance against potential disruptions.

Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, has issued a stark warning about the rising threat of cyber-attacks and potential sabotage by Chinese hackers on Australia's critical infrastructure. He mentions targeted sectors including water, telecommunications, and energy, highlighting the sophistication of the attacks and the importance of safeguarding Australia's digital assets.

Australia's spy chief, Mike Burgess, has raised alarms about the increasing risk of 'high-impact sabotage' from hackers linked to the Chinese government and military. During a forum in Melbourne, Burgess outlined how unprecedented levels of espionage now pose a significant threat to the country's critical infrastructure.

He specifically called out the ongoing attempts by a state actor to infiltrate and scan key services within Australia, particularly in the realms of water, transport, telecommunications, and energy networks. The warning comes as the Chinese embassy has not yet responded to requests for comment.

According to Burgess, there are now two prominent Chinese hacking groups, Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, that have shown a willingness to disrupt essential services in the US and Australia. He highlighted the danger posed by these groups, who not only steal sensitive information but also have the potential to undermine infrastructure stability.

Both groups could very well impact our critical infrastructure, and I don’t think we fully grasp the level of disruption that could ensue, Burgess noted, emphasizing the devastating implications of such sabotage.

The spy chief's comments reflect broader concerns about state-sponsored efforts to target private sector projects and customer data, which cost Australia A$12.5 billion ($8.2 billion) in 2023-24 due to espionage alone. With estimates of $2 billion in trade secrets and intellectual property stolen in just one year, the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity measures has never been clearer.

Burgess cautioned that the sophistication of these hackers is alarming, as they utilize advanced techniques to penetrate networks and remain undetected, further complicating efforts to thwart potential attacks. As Australia grapples with these challenges, the implications for national security, economic stability, and social integrity remain profound.