Marketplace All-in-One Australia's spy chief warns of foreign hacker threat
Nov 12, 2025
Nick Marsh, a BBC correspondent in Singapore, dives into the warnings from Australia's intelligence chief about escalating cyber threats from China-backed hackers targeting vital infrastructure. He details the economic ramifications of this espionage, estimating losses at $8 billion. Meanwhile, Paul Nidja, reporting from Senegal, highlights the challenges fishermen face due to a new offshore gas platform, including restricted access to fishing grounds and skepticism about promised environmental protections. Both guests provide insightful context on pressing global issues.
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Rising Threat To Critical Infrastructure
- Australia faces growing risk of high-impact sabotage targeting critical infrastructure.
- Mike Burgess warns state-backed groups probe transport, telecoms, water and energy networks.
Prioritize Sector-Wide Cyber Defenses
- Recognize and harden vulnerabilities across transport, telecoms, water and energy sectors.
- Treat probing activity seriously and prioritize defensive measures against state-linked actors.
Named Hacker Groups And Their Roles
- Australian intelligence named specific groups like Salt Typhoon and Vault Typhoon as actors.
- Salt Typhoon focuses on espionage while Vault Typhoon targets disruption and sabotage.