Servers at the Foreign Office have experienced a breach, with reports indicating that confidential data and information were accessed by Chinese hackers. Business Minister Sir Chris Bryant acknowledged the breach of Government servers but refrained from confirming Chinese involvement.
He mentioned ongoing discussions with the Information Commissioner to determine the impact on individuals, expressing a belief in the relatively low risk of compromise. Reports surfaced linking China’s cyber gang, Storm-1849, to the targeted attack on government servers in October, raising concerns over stolen personal or sensitive data.
Storm-1849, known as a cyber espionage group, had previously been accused by the UK government of engaging in “malicious” cyber activities against MPs and the Electoral Commission in 2024. Sir Chris, in an interview with BBC Breakfast, confirmed the breach investigation and the swift closure of security vulnerabilities.
Regarding speculations linking the incident to China, Sir Chris emphasized the lack of confirmation, stating that the investigation was ongoing. He acknowledged cyber attacks as a modern-day challenge, citing previous incidents at prominent organizations and underscoring the need for constant vigilance within the government.
A Government spokesperson reiterated the commitment to investigating the cyber incident, emphasizing the seriousness with which system and data security are treated.