Australia Flags Threat From State-Backed Hackers, Singles Out 2 Countries

Australian Signals Directorate singled out Moscow and Beijing as among the country's greatest cyber threats in its latest report.

Australia faces a "persistent threat" from state-backed hackers, the country's signals intelligence agency said Wednesday, highlighting the particular danger of Russian and Chinese cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.

Australia has been hit by a string of high-profile hacks in the past 12 months, including one late last week that crippled major ports for three days.

Without laying blame for specific hacks or intrusions, the Australian Signals Directorate singled out Moscow and Beijing as among the country's greatest cyber threats in its latest report.