US Dismantles Chinese Cyber Espionage Operation Targeting NASA, the Senate and the Federal Reserve

US authorities have taken down a broad cyber espionage network that allegedly targeted sensitive services and critical infrastructure in the United States and other countries for years.

According to the US Department of Justice, the network was linked to a Chinese company and had penetrated the systems of several important institutions, including the Department of Justice, NASA, the Federal Reserve and the Senate.

During the operation, authorities seized the domains of two platforms known as “QScan” and “QTRouter.” These are suspected of serving as part of the infrastructure used for the cyberattacks.

The list of suspected targets also includes the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health.

Four companies in the United States and South Korea are also suspected of having been targeted.

US authorities believe the network may have been used to access critical infrastructure and other sensitive networks in the United States and abroad at least since 2018.

The Justice Department attributes the operation of the platforms to the Chinese network technology company Nanjing Xinjiuwei.

According to US authorities, the company’s clients may have included China’s Ministry of State Security and the People’s Liberation Army, along with other institutions.

The case highlights the involvement of private companies and contractors specializing in developing and providing cyber capabilities for state agencies.

Cybersecurity experts say the number of Chinese companies offering specialized services for operations in the digital space has grown in recent years. According to them, this has expanded the circle of private actors capable of carrying out complex cyber infiltrations.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beijing has repeatedly denied accusations that it is involved in or responsible for cyberattacks.