The Canadian government, in coordination with the FBI, has revealed that a state-backed Chinese hacking group known as Salt Typhoon breached at least one Canadian telecom company earlier this year in a cyber-espionage operation.
In a joint security advisory issued late Friday, officials confirmed that the hackers compromised the network of an unnamed Canadian telco in mid-February, exploiting three Cisco routers to quietly siphon off traffic and data without detection. The intrusion was part of a broader surveillance effort that security agencies believe is far from over.
Authorities say Salt Typhoon’s activities extend well beyond the telecommunications sector, with signs pointing to more widespread targeting across Canadian industries.
Who is Salt Typhoon?
Salt Typhoon has been active since at least late 2024 and is believed to be linked to China’s state-sponsored cyber operations. The group has previously gone after U.S. telecom companies, internet providers, and data center operators, with the aim of gathering intelligence on senior U.S. government officials.
According to cybersecurity experts and intelligence agencies, Salt Typhoon is part of a growing group of Chinese cyber units that are likely preparing for potential geopolitical conflict—including the possibility of a Chinese military move on Taiwan by 2027.
What’s Next?
The advisory warned that Salt Typhoon will “almost certainly continue targeting Canadian organizations over the next two years,” especially as tensions rise globally and digital espionage becomes more central to statecraft.
Neither Canadian nor U.S. officials named the affected telecom provider, but the use of Cisco hardware in the breach highlights ongoing concerns about vulnerabilities in network infrastructure.
A Broader Threat Landscape
This latest revelation adds to the growing list of high-profile cyberattacks involving state-linked groups. It also underscores how critical infrastructure—from telecoms to power grids—is increasingly in the crosshairs of global cyber warfare.
With threats becoming more sophisticated and persistent, governments are urging companies to bolster their security and monitor for stealthy breaches that may otherwise go undetected.
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