Chinese Hackers Breach Belgian State Security Service in Largest Breach, Compromising 10% of Emails; Investigation Started November 2023

A group of Chinese hackers is reported to have stolen data from the Belgian state security services, known as the VSSE, between 2021 and 2023. This breach is considered the largest in the agency's history, according to local newspaper Le Soir. The hackers allegedly exploited a vulnerability in an American cybersecurity company, gaining access to approximately 10% of the VSSE's staff emails. While classified data is believed to have remained secure, the personal information of nearly half of the agency's members may have been compromised. In response to the breach, the Belgian federal prosecutor initiated an investigation into the incident in November 2023, confirming the findings reported by Le Soir.