What was Operation Cloud Hopper?

• A. Chinese MSS actors tried to gain data from foreign governments by targeting IT service providers
• B. Chinese MSS actors attempted to hack into energy grids of neighboring countries
• C. Chinese MSS actors intercepted satellite communications
• D. Chinese MSS actors developed new social media platforms

Answer: (B)

Operation Cloud Hopper was a long-running cyber espionage campaign attributed to Chinese MSS operators that focused on compromising IT service providers and their supply chains to reach the networks of their clients. The idea is to exploit trusted relationships: by breaching MSPs, the attackers could pivot into many customer networks and exfiltrate data from a wide range of organizations. This makes the campaign about access through third-party infrastructure rather than attacking a single target like energy infrastructure or satellite communications. It also explains why securing vendor access, monitoring MSP activity, and enforcing strong network segmentation and credential practices are crucial defenses.