PM reveals major cyber attack, but won’t name source

China is likely behind the sophisticated cyber attacks on Australia’s private and public organisations, experts say, but political leaders in Canberra are refusing to point the finger.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed Australia has been the target of increased cyber attacks by a foreign entity.

‘‘We know it is a sophisticated, statebased cyber actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting, and the tradecraft used,’’ Morrison said yesterday.

But he declined to say which country was behind the attacks.

Asked if it was China, Morrison said: ‘‘The Australian government is not making any public attribution about these matters.

‘‘We are very confident that this is the actions of a state-based actor.

‘‘We have not gone any further than that. I can’t control what speculation others might engage in.’’

Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Peter Jennings said the attack was ‘‘95 per cent or more’’ likely to have been launched from China.

This was because of the scale and intensity of the attack, he said.

‘‘A few others have the capacity but they don’t have the scale to do it as broadly as this,’’ Jennings said.

He said China was very interested in learning how Australian governments and businesses work, what policy is being developed and who are the key decision-makers.

He said there were big gaps in cyber security, especially within state governments, which could then allow further intrusions into other systems.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese was briefed by the prime minister on Thursday evening and Australia’s security agencies yesterday.