Advanced Persistent Threat One

 

APT1 A.K.A Unit 61398

Mandiant, a US cyber security firm has released a report alleging significant electronic espionage by a unit of the Peoples Liberation Army known as Unit 61398.

APT1 is a single organization of operators that has conducted a cyber espionage campaign against a broad range of victims since at least 2006. From our observations, it is one of the most prolific cyber espionage groups in terms of the sheer quantity of information stolen.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

In a State that rigorously monitors Internet use, it is highly unlikely that the Chinese Government is unaware of an attack group that operates from the Pudong New Area of Shanghai. The detection and awareness of APT1 is made even more probable by the sheer scale and sustainment of attacks that we have observed and documented in this report. Therefore the most probable conclusion is that APT1 is able to wage such a long-running and extensive cyber espionage campaign because it is acting with the full knowledge and cooperation of the government.

The Chinese Response

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters on Tuesday:

"To make groundless accusations based on some rough material is neither responsible nor professional."

Read the report and judge for yourself whether it is groundless or rough material.