Chinese Hackers Breached 400+ Treasury Computers, Report Says

Chinese state-sponsored hackers infiltrated the US Treasury Department’s systems, compromising more than 400 laptop and desktop computers, according to an agency report. Jake Bleiberg and Jamie Tarabay reported the findings for Bloomberg News.

The perpetrators likely stole material but did not breach Treasury’s classified or email systems. I Photo: Mike Flickr

The hackers focused on systems belonging to staff and senior leaders involved in sanctions, international affairs, and intelligence.

They accessed usernames, passwords, and over 3,000 files on unclassified personal computers, including policy documents, organizational charts, travel information, and “Law Enforcement Sensitive” data.

The report indicates that the perpetrators likely stole material but did not breach Treasury’s classified or email systems.

Additionally, the hackers accessed information related to investigations by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which evaluates the national security risks of certain real estate purchases and foreign investments in the US.

The report addressed to members of Congress, provides the most comprehensive account to date of what US officials describe as a major intrusion into an agency pivotal to managing the national debt, issuing sanctions, and shaping US economic policy.