EU’s Digital Security SOS: How China Hacked Diplomatic Cables
In a nutshell: The European Union’s secure messaging network was breached by a team from China’s People’s Liberation Army, as a US cyber‑security firm called Area 1 reported. The hackers used a simple phishing scam targeting Cyprus’s foreign ministry and then walked straight into EU and UN systems, pulling out thousands of diplomatic cables that ended up in The New York Times.
Why this matters
- The leak happened during a period when Europe is on high alert, gearing up for crucial parliamentary elections next May.
- EU officials are now running a full‑scale investigation, stressing that “no institution, no country is immune to such attacks.”
- Area 1, the breach‑detecting group, says the operation targeted not only the EU but also the UN and even the AFL‑CIO U.S. labour union.
Inside the stolen cables
Most of the documents are what you’d expect from a diplomatic report: weekly updates, official chat logs, and standard “run‑of‑the‑mill” chatter about global events. The New York Times called the collection “low‑security” and selected 1,100 pieces to publish, handpicking those that raise eyebrows.
A few stand‑out highlights:
- The EU mission in Moscow labeled the July Trump‑Putin Helsinki summit a “success (at least for Putin).”
- In a reaction to Trump’s trade tactics, President Xi expressed angrier-than‑expected rant. “We’re not setting up a freestyle boxing match,” he declared.
- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang assured EU President Donald Tusk that Beijing was “steadfastly opposed to cyber‑attacks.” (Irony levels: high.)
Cyprus’s role in the breach
The team initially tricks Cyprus tech staff into downloading malicious tools. Once inside, they quietly siphoned through the EU’s handle, harvesting thousands of diplomatic cables.
EU’s response
Vice‑President Valdis Dombrovskis says they’re “experiencing this challenge constantly” and are upgrading communication systems on the fly. The council is tight-lipped, though it acknowledges it’s already under investigation.
Meanwhile, Cyprus is launching its own probe and requesting EU tech support to patch its defenses.
Beyond diplomacy: Ukraine’s tense front
In one doc, a senior Ukrainian official warned that Moscow might already have nuclear warheads parked in Crimea—an alarming reminder that cyber breaches can be a diplomatic April fools prank or headline‑generating reality.
The Takeaway
Even the most secure networks can be tricked by a single cunning phishing email. The EU’s ongoing investigation shows that tightening cyber‑security isn’t just a “nice‑to‑have”; it’s essential, especially when votes and global alliances hang in the balance.
