If I knew emojis, I’d include one for “highly skeptical” to accompany this story. Ellen Nakashima reports:
The Chinese government recently arrested a handful of hackers it says were connected to the breach of Office of Personnel Management’s database earlier this year, a mammoth break-in that exposed the records of more than 22 million current and former federal employees.
The arrests took place shortly before a state visit in late September by President Xi Jinping, and U.S. officials say they appear to have been carried out in an effort to lessen tensions with Washington.
The identities of the suspects — and whether they have any connection to the Chinese government — remain unclear.
Read more on Washington Post.
If your a corrupt government entity, somewhere in the justice system side of the house and you need a few people to take the fall, I am sure it is easy enough to concoct a semi-believable story. They can say what ever they want about the breach – at least you now know it came from their country.
Most everyone I speak with in the network security world hold little faith that China is going to turn itself around in respect to telling the truth about these breaches and who actually does, and pays for the effort.
I anticipate they – the Chinese think this is old news and probably have other things that are more closely held. They are testing our network security intelligence. They want to see exactly how much we know about their operation. They throw some meat out there and want to see if we are going to say its BS and knee-jerk some information they decipher and use to plug holes, or get rid of moles.
The data has had the opportunity to change hands 1000 times over. Most of the information is very dangerous if it can duplicate a person who in turn can get a security clearance or access to a base facilities in general. Its a trivial effort, MUCH too late.
If the shoe was on the other foot, they would be frothing at the mouth – maybe. One has to give a crap about your society – or any society for that matter. Its simply Corrupt Highlands In Norther Asia. I vote to add this caveat to all traveling brochures.