Chinese authorities have reported that the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games suffered significant foreign cyber attacks, triggering an investigation by Harbin’s Public Security Bureau. With support from international partners, investigators claim to have traced these attacks to three NSA agents and two American universities.
According to Chinese technical experts, the cyber attacks specifically targeted crucial information systems including registration, arrival/departure management, and competition registration systems. These systems contained sensitive personal information of athletes and event personnel. The attacks allegedly intensified on February 3rd during the first ice hockey match, with attempts to disrupt event information publishing systems.
Chinese authorities have named three NSA operatives allegedly involved in the attacks: Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, Stephen W. Johnson.
Investigators claim these individuals have previously carried out cyber attacks against Chinese critical infrastructure and companies like Huawei.
The report also implicates the University of California and Virginia Tech University in the cyber operations. It notes that both institutions have established connections to the NSA, with Virginia Tech being one of six advanced military academies in the US and a certified “Cyber Defense Research Center” and “Cyber Operations Research Center.”
Harbin police have announced a reward for information leading to the three named suspects, as part of efforts to combat foreign cyber attacks against Chinese networks and protect national cybersecurity interests.
The attacks reportedly targeted specific systems and infrastructure using hundreds of known and unknown attack methods, including zero-day vulnerabilities, file-reading exploits, and high-frequency targeted detection attacks.
Source: People’s Daily, April 16, 2025
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/pc/content/202504/16/content_30068084.html