In a shocking revelation, the US Treasury Department has confirmed that it was the victim of a significant cyberattack, with Chinese state-sponsored hackers breaching its computer security systems. The incident, described as a “major incident” by the Treasury Department, has raised concerns about the vulnerability of sensitive government information to cyber threats.

According to reports, the hackers managed to bypass the Treasury Department’s security guardrails, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive documents and data. The exact nature and scope of the breach are still unclear, but officials have confirmed that the incident is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

This is not the first time that Chinese hackers have been accused of targeting US government agencies. In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents involving Chinese state-sponsored hackers, including the breach of the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in 2015, which exposed the sensitive personal data of millions of federal employees.

The Treasury Department breach has sparked concerns about the ability of US government agencies to protect sensitive information from cyber threats. “This incident is a stark reminder of the persistent and sophisticated threat posed by Chinese state-sponsored hackers,” said a senior US official. “We must remain vigilant and take all necessary steps to protect our networks and data from these threats.”

The incident has also raised questions about the impact on US-China relations, which have been strained in recent years due to trade tensions and security concerns. The US has repeatedly accused China of engaging in state-sponsored hacking and intellectual property theft, allegations that China has denied.

As the investigation into the Treasury Department breach continues, officials are urging all government agencies to review their cybersecurity protocols and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by cyberattacks and the need for constant vigilance in protecting sensitive information.