China syndromeChinese cyber spies target British defense official
A high official in the British Ministry of Defense was targeted by a sophisticated Chinese spear phishing operation that aimed to steal military secrets; the plan was foiled last year when the official became suspicious of an e-mail she received from a contact she had met at a conference
Foreign spies targeted a senior British defense official in a sophisticated spear phishing operation that aimed to steal military secrets. The plan was foiled last year when the official became suspicious of an e-mail she received from a contact she had met at a conference.
The official showed the highly personalized message to Ministry of Defense IT experts, who then found the attachment contained malware designed to leak classified material to a foreign intelligence agency.
The MoD declined to comment on the incident, which was briefly discussed at a recent conference by Simon Kershaw, its head of defense security and assurance.
Chris Williams writes that the foreign spies’ target was Joanna Hole, who until her retirement in March was the MoD’s head of safety and sustainable development. She had responsibility for business continuity and regularly briefed ministers and forces chiefs.
In a previous role, according to her LinkedIn profile, Hole represented the MoD at the highly sensitive COBRA emergency committee.
Kershaw did not name the foreign power behind the operation, but China is the most likely culprit. Its huge online espionage effort was a major motivator of the recent government decision to spend £650 million in improved cyber security over four years.
Williams notes that the MoD is to create its Defense Cyber Operations Group as part of the investment.
