Australia’s intelligence chief warns that Chinese hackers are investigating important espionage and sabotage networks

Australian intelligence chief Mike Burgess has warned that Chinese-backed hackers are “probing” the country’s critical infrastructure, and in some cases have gained access.

Burgess, who heads the country’s main intelligence agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, said at least two Chinese government-backed hacking groups were preparing in advance for sabotage and espionage.

The comments, made during a conference speech in Melbourne on Wednesday, echo similar statements by the US government, which has warned that ongoing hacking campaigns could pose risks of economic and societal disruption.

According to Burgess, a hacker group known as Volt Typhoon is trying to break into critical infrastructure networks such as power, water and transportation systems. Burgess warned that successful hacks could affect power and water supplies, and cause widespread power outages.

The United States has He said previously Chinese hackers have spent years planting malware on critical infrastructure systems capable of causing devastating cyberattacks when activated. US officials said Volt Typhoon’s goals were to obstruct the US response to China’s expected future invasion of Taiwan.

“I don’t think we — and I mean all of us — really appreciate how disruptive and devastating this could be,” Burgess said, speaking about the threat. Once hackers arrive, what happens next is “a matter of intent, not ability,” he said.

Burgess also warned that another Chinese-backed hacking group dubbed Salt Typhoon, known for hacking into phone and internet company networks to steal call logs and other sensitive data, was also targeting the country’s telecom infrastructure.

Salt Typhoon hacked more than 200 phone and Internet companies, according to the FBI. Including AT&T, Verizon, and Lumenalong with many other cloud and data center providers. The hacks prompted the FBI to do so Urging Americans to switch to end-to-end encrypted messaging apps To avoid hackers from accessing their calls and text messages.

Canadian government Also confirmed Earlier this year its telecom companies were hacked as part of China-linked attacks.

China has long denied the hacking allegations.