Australia`s prime minister`s cyber security adviser said it was unclear what had been stolen when hackers "completely invaded" the computer system of (ANU), the Australian National University, and gained management rights.
McGibbon (Alastair MacGibbon) said he managed the Australian Cyber Security Center, part of the Australian signal Agency, which has been working with the university for some time, but is still unable to guarantee its security.
The ninth reported exclusively Friday night that the hackers had "completely invaded" the university`s computer systems. Intelligence sources worry that China may have acquired the university`s intellectual property.
"there is no absolutely secure networking system in the world. ANU`s computer system is very complex, you can imagine, because college affairs are very complicated." McGibbon told Sky News.
"they are, in essence, very open and collaborative systems, so their systems can be very fragmented. I will never assert that your system is absolutely safe. I can only say that ANU is trying to keep these criminals away from the system. "
When asked if something had been stolen, McGibbon gave a negative answer. "I will tell you that any research institution, any higher education institution, will attract the interest of criminals and other countries." He said。
Unfortunately, many countries continue to believe that intellectual property theft can promote their commercial interests and help companies involved in the country.
ANU has close ties with Canberra`s Defence and Security Council.
Asked if hackers have been trying to access defense and security information, McGibbon said: "if you are talking about secret systems and top secret systems, there is no evidence that they have been compromised. I would never say that they will never be destroyed. I would like to say that I suspect that in this case, lawbreakers may be more interested in high-level R & D results. They are interested in policy making, in people`s ideas. Want to know what scholars are thinking? "
Asked if he could say that the hackers were from China, McGibbon said: "No, I can`t say that."
