Australia’s top intelligence official, Mike Burgess, has expressed serious concerns over cyber probes by Chinese state-backed hackers targeting the country’s critical infrastructure, including telecommunications, water, energy, and transport systems. Speaking at a business conference in Melbourne, he highlighted that these cyber activities are part of a broader trend of potential sabotage and espionage, estimating a cost of A$12.5 billion in lost trade secrets last year alone. Burgess identified two Chinese-linked cyber groups, Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, as responsible for these incursions, which have also threatened U.S. infrastructure. He urged Australian businesses to bolster cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data amid growing threats from authoritarian regimes.