Microsoft president Brad Smith on "real concern" about Chinese malware targeting critical infrastructure
CBSNov 26, 2022
The Facts
Tech giant Microsoft has stated that Chinese government-linked hackers have accessed the email accounts of approximately 25 organizations, including US government agencies.
Microsoft has claimed that the group — dubbed "Storm-0558" — also gained access to Western European government email accounts. In a separate post, Microsoft's executive vice president of security Charlie Bell said the breach was purposed towards "espionage" and "intelligence collection."
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
It is no secret that China — alongside the likes of Iran and Russia — have been attempting to undermine US cybersecurity in recent times. With a vital election cycle in 2024 getting ever closer, it is paramount that the US prioritizes an increase in resources to deal with the impending threats that risk tarnishing America's democracy. The US must send a message that it will not tolerate such behavior from the likes of China, and it must address the rising challenge of Beijing's aggressive foreign policy goals.
Pro-China narrative
It is the US that holds hegemony over the use of malicious cyber attacks, often with the purpose of reaffirming their position and ideology within the world order. The US continues, physically and virtually, to topple and covertly influence governments for their own benefit. It is typical of Washington to accuse other nations of behavior that it is most guilty off.