Canada Blames Chinese State-Linked Hackers for Telecom Cyberattacks

 

 

In a significant development straining China–Canada relations, Canada’s cybersecurity agency has blamed Chinese state-linked hackers for a series of cyberattacks on its telecom infrastructure. The breaches, which compromised three network devices registered to a Canadian company, have been attributed to a suspected state-sponsored cyberattack group known as Salt Typhoon.

In coordination with the U.S. FBI, Canada issued a joint security bulletin urging public and private organizations to bolster their defenses. Salt Typhoon—believed to operate under the direction of the Chinese government—is reportedly targeting critical sectors, with a primary focus on Canadian telecom networks, and may soon expand its reach to other industries such as energy, healthcare, and finance.

The warning highlights growing concerns over China hacking operations and their broader geopolitical implications. Authorities emphasized that Salt Typhoon’s attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a sustained campaign that could persist over the next two years. The Canadian government warned that these intrusions threaten national security, data privacy, and public safety, calling for increased vigilance and stronger cyber readiness across sectors.

As digital threats become more complex and international, the Canada cyberattacks incident underscores the urgent need for coordinated cybersecurity policies and deeper intelligence cooperation between allies in the face of escalating state-sponsored cyberattacks.