Call for Briefing on Cybersecurity Breach
Two U.S. Republican lawmakers, Senator Tim Scott and Representative French Hill, have called on the Department of the Treasury to explain a recent cyberattack allegedly carried out by China-backed hackers.
In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen dated December 31, the lawmakers requested a comprehensive briefing for Congress, scheduled no later than January 10. They are demanding detailed information about the hackers’ access, the specifics of how the attack occurred, and the measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“A Serious Security Breach”
“This cyber breach is extremely concerning,” Scott and Hill stated in their letter. They highlighted that the Treasury Department manages some of the most sensitive information in the U.S., including tax records, business ownership details, and reports of suspicious activity. According to the lawmakers, safeguarding this information must be a top priority to prevent potential misuse by foreign adversaries.
“The fact that hackers supported by the Chinese Communist Party gained access to Treasury Department systems is unacceptable,” they added, emphasizing the need for strengthened security protocols.
Details of the Incident
The cyberattack occurred on December 2, 2024, when an unidentified threat actor infiltrated the workstations of Treasury employees. The attackers gained access to certain “non-classified” documents.
According to a December 30 letter from Treasury officials to lawmakers, the incident was attributed to China-backed advanced persistent threat (APT) actors. The department has committed to providing a more detailed report within 30 days, as mandated by the Federal Information Security Modernization Act.
China Denies Responsibility
China denied involvement in the attack, telling Reuters, “We strongly reject U.S. defamatory accusations against China without any factual basis.”
This breach has raised serious concerns about the federal government’s ability to protect sensitive information from foreign cyber threats, prompting lawmakers to demand immediate answers.
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