Chinese Hackers Breach US Treasury Computers

Chinese state-sponsored hackers infiltrated the US Treasury Department, including computers belonging to Secretary Janet Yellen and her deputies, accessing fewer than 50 files from Yellen's machine and over 3,000 files on unclassified personal devices. The breach, considered a 'major incident,' was executed by compromising the third-party cybersecurity service provider BeyondTrust. Despite the hackers accessing sensitive information related to sanctions and international affairs, they did not penetrate classified systems or email data. This attack is part of a series of cyber-espionage incidents attributed to Chinese hackers targeting US federal departments, including a prior breach involving email accounts of high-ranking officials. The Treasury Department has briefed lawmakers and alerted the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI for further investigation. China's foreign ministry has denied involvement, reiterating its opposition to hacking activities.