Finnish Police Attribute 2021 Parliament Attack to China-Linked APT31

Finnish Police have recently attributed an attack on their parliament that occurred in March 2021 to the China-linked group APT31. The police have confirmed the attribution and identified one suspect, according to a recent press release. The crimes committed include aggravated espionage, aggravated unlawful access to an information system, and aggravated violation of the secrecy of communications.

The police immediately suspected the China-linked cyberespionage group APT31 of being involved, and the attribution has now been confirmed through investigation. The investigation involved international information exchanges and collaboration with international entities and the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service.

The US government has also recently announced sanctions against two Chinese hackers, Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, alleged members of APT31, for malicious cyber operations targeting US entities that operate within critical infrastructure sectors. The US Treasury Department has also sanctioned a tech company based in Wuhan, which is used by the Chinese Ministry of State Security as a front in attacks against organizations in the US critical infrastructure sector.

In addition to the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand have also accused China-linked APT31 of cyber operations against UK institutions and parliamentarians. The complexity and international nature of these investigations illustrate the sophisticated tactics of nation-state actors.

This is a developing story and more information will be provided when it is made available.