Breach, Threat Management, Data Security

Chinese national indicted over Boeing, Lockheed Martin hack

A Chinese national is facing prison time after a federal grand jury indicted him on five felony charges related to a computer hacking ruse that targeted defense contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Su Bin, a 49-year-old businessman who also goes by “Stephen Su” and “Stephen Subin,” operated an aviation tech firm Lode-Tech with offices in Canada. He allegedly worked with two unnamed Chinese to hack into the U.S. companies and steal trade secrets.

The indictment filed on Thursday alleges that Su and his co-conspirators stole trade secrets relating to aircraft models being manufactured by Boeing, one of the world's largest aerospace firms.

The documents included information on the company's C-17 military transport aircraft and Lockheed's F-35 “Lightning” and F-22 “Raptor” fighter jets.

The information on the aircrafts included “trade secrets related to various facets of the aircraft, its development, design, testing, production, components, and ongoing maintenance,” according to court documents.

Communication between Su and his co-conspirators was obtained by investigators who believe the group intended to sell the data to the Chinese government. Su is currently in custody in British Columbia, Canada, after being detained by Canadian police on June 28.

The indictment details the three charges that Su faces related to unauthorized computer access, conspiracy to illegally export defense articles, and conspiracy to steal trade secrets. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison. 

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