Chinese cyber spies reportedly breached the email of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Chinese Hackers Breach Commerce Secretary’s Email

Reports have emerged that Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s email was breached by Chinese hackers, raising concerns about cybersecurity and potential diplomatic tensions.

During a press briefing, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed the breach but was cautious about divulging further details. However, anonymous U.S. officials informed the New York Times that the hackers were likely connected to China’s intelligence services and specifically targeted individual email accounts, including Raimondo’s.

This breach stands out as the only significant official account that was compromised. It was accomplished by exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft’s cloud, which has since been addressed.

The timing of the attack is notable, as it coincides with the Commerce Department’s imposition of export controls on Chinese technologies, a move that has drawn China’s displeasure. In addition to Raimondo, hackers also targeted the accounts of a congressional staffer, a human rights advocate, and several U.S. think tanks.

It is important to note that U.S. officials have emphasized that no classified information was accessed during the breach. However, the incident occurred during Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, potentially straining relations between the two countries.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, it is crucial for governments and organizations to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information.