Parliament’s IT network breach

CHINESE hackers could be behind a breach of the federal parliamentary computing network being investigated by Australia’s top cyber security agency.

MPs and staff had to change their passwords overnight on security advice.

There is no evidence any data had been accessed but the investigation remains ongoing, Speaker Tony Smith and Senate President Scott Ryan said.

“We have no evidence that this is an attempt to influence the outcome of parliamentary processes or to disrupt or influence electoral or political processes,” they said in a joint statement.

It is understood the Austra- lian Signals Directorate is assisting and investigating, alongside the Department of Parliamentary Services.

In March 2011, it was reported that China was suspected of accessing the email system used by federal MPs, advisers, electorate staff and parliamentary employees. Security industry sources said it was possible China could be the source of the latest breach.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Fergus Hanson said it appeared a “nation state” was behind the incident.

“There would be lots of juicy correspondence between staffers about who is doing what and dirt files on different politicians,” Mr Hanson said.

“There might be interesting information about parliamentary perks that are given to politicians that the public may not like.

“There may be whole email stashes that could damage one party or another party.”

Australia’s key intelligence agency ASIO has previously warned it expects a rise in the “sophistication and complexity” of cyber attacks by countries pursuing cyber espionage programs.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who held a cabinet national security meeting in Sydney yesterday, said he had been briefed on the matter, but could not comment on the source of the attack.