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3mo ago

Czech Republic Blames China for Cyberattack on Foreign Ministry Communications

Prague summoned China’s ambassador to protest the APT31-attributed breach, upgraded its communication network, won EU and NATO support

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky attends an interview on developments in Ukraine, U.S. relations and European security in Prague, Czech Republic, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Eva Korinkova/File Photo
A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo
Flag of China displayed on a laptop screen and binary code displayed on a screen are seen in this multiple exposure illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on September 27, 2022. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Czech foreign ministry said there was an extensive investigation of the attack

Overview

  • The cyber campaign by APT31 targeted the ministry’s unclassified network from 2022, potentially exposing emails between embassies and EU institutions
  • Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský summoned China’s ambassador to warn that hostile cyber actions threaten bilateral relations
  • After detecting the intrusion, the ministry deployed a new, more secure communications system to safeguard sensitive exchanges
  • NATO and the European Union condemned the breach as a violation of international norms and pledged solidarity with Prague’s response
  • APT31 has been linked to high-profile global espionage operations and its operatives were sanctioned by the US and UK for earlier attacks