The Chinese state has hacked the Ministry of Defence, Sky News understands. MPs will be told on Tuesday of a massive data breach involving the MoD, targeting service personnel.
The government will not name the country involved, but Sky News understands this to be China. The Chinese state is to be accused of two or three attempts at hacking MoD employees – including personnel.
The cyberattack was on a payroll system for current service personnel and some veterans. Names and bank details have been exposed.
All salaries will be paid this month. Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP and former soldier, told Sky News that China “was probably looking at the financially vulnerable with a view that they may be coerced in exchange for cash”.
The MoD hopes the personnel will not be concerned about their safety. They will be provided with advice and support tomorrow The contractor system is not connected to the main MoD computer systems and has been taken down with a review launched.
