Evolution of Orb Networks in China Nexus Cyber Espionage

In the podcast, the evolution of orb networks in China Nexus cyber espionage activities is highlighted as a significant shift in the landscape of cyber threats. Orb networks, defined as operational relay box networks, are mesh networks utilized by cyber espionage adversaries to obfuscate their traffic. Unique to China Nexus activities, orb networks are created by private sector entities in China, enabling the use of pseudo botnets by multiple APT actors. This development indicates a rise in a private industry facilitating evasion at scale since 2016, showcasing an upleveling of capability and sophistication.