The recent leak of files has unveiled the clandestine world of China’s state-sponsored hackers for hire, specifically exposing the operations of a Chinese security firm called I-Soon.  The documents detail an eight-year effort by I-Soon to not only target databases and communications in Asian countries but to also infiltrate allies of the United States including South Korea and Taiwan. The leaked files include records of correspondence, lists of targets, and demonstrations of cyberattack tools, with cybersecurity experts expressing confidence in the authenticity of the documents.

I-Soon, one of several firms aiding China’s robust hacking pursuits, offers a diverse selection of services at varying costs. These offerings span from infiltrating foreign government websites to spreading disinformation and garnering personal data from social networking sites. The leak gives us insight into the alliance among China’s law enforcement, the Ministry of State Security, and private-sector individuals in their hacking crusades against foreign governments and corporations. 

Evidence shows I-Soon has engaged with different Chinese government bodies sponsoring hacking, such as the Ministry of State Security, the People’s Liberation Army, and China’s national police force. China’s engagement of private contractors for hacking mirrors strategies undertaken by Iran and Russia, yet the distributed approach poses management dilemmas. Despite the information leak being from a single contractor, the intel holds significant weight and may assist agencies. 

These revelations come when U.S. officials have issued warnings about the escalating nature of Chinese hacking activities, including the input of malicious code in critical American infrastructure. The leaked files display just how challenging a task those seeking to counteract the extensive hacking operations originating from China have due to its decentralization and origins in the private sector, illustrating an issue needing a strong policy response by the U.S. government.

Source: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China’s Hackers for Hire – The New York Times