Spy chief warns hackers could cut power, poison water, crash banks

Elite teams of foreign hackers are figuring out how to disable Australia’s telecommunications, utilities and financial system, according to the nation’s spymaster, who revealed that Chinese cyber groups have been caught trying to access critical infrastructure networks. Warning that artificial intelligence was making it easier for regimes to conduct espionage, ASIO chief Mike Burgess said foreign intelligence agencies were increasingly targeting Australian companies to steal their trade secrets and secure a commercial advantage for overseas rivals. Loading…