Marketplace Morning Report Australia's spy chief warns of foreign hacker threat
Nov 12, 2025
Nick Marsh, a BBC correspondent in Singapore, dives into alarming cybersecurity threats facing Australia, detailing espionage activities by hacker groups backed by China. He reveals that these cyberattacks have cost Australia billions and targeted essential infrastructure. Joining him is Paul Nidja, a reporter who shares insights from Senegal, where a new LNG platform is disrupting local fishermen's livelihoods, raising concerns about economic prosperity versus environmental impact. Together, they highlight the delicate balance of development and security.
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Critical Infrastructure Under Persistent Threat
- Australia faces growing risk of high-impact sabotage targeting critical infrastructure.
- Spy chief Mike Burgess names groups like Salt Typhoon and Vault Typhoon as persistent threats linked to China.
Prioritize Protection Of Key Networks
- Treat probing of transport, telecoms, water and energy networks as urgent security priorities.
- Strengthen monitoring and defenses around those systems to reduce vulnerability to high-impact sabotage.
Different Hacker Groups, Different Roles
- British and U.S. spy chiefs have made similar accusations about state-backed hackers.
- Salt Typhoon is linked to espionage while Vault Typhoon is associated with disruption and sabotage.