Counter-espionage team sees surge in approaches to Aussies in the know

THE nation’s spy agency is investigating a sharp rise in suspicious approaches made to Australians in sensitive jobs.

Chinese spies are believed to be behind a large number of approaches on websites such as LinkedIn and are trying to access classified information.

The spike in online approaches comes as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) warns the scale of foreign intelligence activity against Australian interests is now at “unprecedented” levels.

NewsCorp can reveal ASIO is investigating a significant number of suspect contacts and says the problem is getting worse.

Government employees with access to decision makers, such as state and federal ministers, are of particular interest to foreign intelligence agencies along with those who work in the defence industry and research institutions.

The top targets are people who work in jobs which give them direct access to classified national security information.

Australian Defence Force personnel have been briefed on ways they can reduce the risk of foreign intelligence services targeting them.

The ASIO briefings focused particularly on how they can reduce the risk online and while travelling overseas.

“Professional and social networking sites are rich stocks of personal information, and that makes it much easier for hostile foreign intelligence services to gather the information they want,” an ASIO spokesman said.