The United States announced on Friday that it has imposed sanctions on a Beijing-based cybersecurity company called Integrity Technology Group, Incorporated (Integrity Tech). This company is linked to China's Ministry of State Security and has been involved in several cyberattacks targeting US organisations, according to the US State Department.

"Integrity Tech is a large Chinese government contractor with ties to the Ministry of State Security. It provides services to country and municipal State Security and Public Security Bureaus, as well as, other China cybersecurity government contractors," read the statement from the US State Department. "China-based hackers working for Integrity Tech, known to the private sector as "Flax Typhoon," were working at the direction of the Chinese government, targeting critical infrastructure in the United States and overseas. "Flax Typhoon" hackers have successfully targeted multiple US and foreign corporations, universities, government agencies, telecommunications providers and media organisations," it added.

The US State Department mentioned an incident from September 18 last year when the Department of Justice carried out a court-approved operation to disrupt a botnet. This botnet had infected over 200,000 consumer devices in the United States and other countries and was linked to Integrity Tech. In addition, the United States, along with its Five Eyes allies issued a public cybersecurity advisory. This advisory explained some of the methods used by China-linked cyber attackers and provided technical guidance to help network defenders address these threats, according to the US State Department. 

The US State Department has also reiterated its dedication to protecting the nation's vital infrastructure and people from Chinese cyber threats, saying, "These multi-agency efforts reflect our whole-of-government approach to protecting and defending against China cyber threats to Americans, our critical systems, and those of our allies and partners." The statement further said, "The United States will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to safeguard US critical infrastructure and the American people from irresponsible and reckless cyber actors."