Security Firm Exposes Role of Beijing Research Institute in China's Cyber Operations

"BIETA, the cybersecurity firm says, was likely established in some form in 1983, the same year the MSS was created, and supports, together with its subsidiary Beijing Sanxin Times Technology Co (CIII), MSS operations across various activities. Most likely led by the MSS and headquartered in the ministry compound, BIETA is believed to research, create, and sell technology in support of the country's intelligence, counterintelligence, and military operations, Recorded Future's report shows."

""Their activities include researching methods of steganography that can likely support covert communications (COVCOM) and malware deployment; developing and selling forensic investigation and counterintelligence equipment; and acquiring foreign technologies for steganography, network penetration testing, and military communications and planning," the cybersecurity firm says. Although they do not engage in illicit activity, BIETA and CIII are almost certainly front organizations of the MSS, which engages in political and domestic cybersecurity, strategic, economic, and technological intelligence, and counterintelligence and counterespionage, and creates tools for intelligence officers and their affiliates."

BIETA has ties to China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) and was likely established around 1983, coinciding with the MSS's creation. BIETA and its subsidiary Beijing Sanxin Times Technology Co (CIII) support MSS operations and are almost certainly front organizations. BIETA researches, creates, and sells technology to support intelligence, counterintelligence, and military operations, including steganography, network penetration testing, forensic investigation tools, and military communications. BIETA comprises multiple research labs and a quality testing center focused on integrated circuits, networking, multimedia, signal technologies, cryptography, forensics, and technology miniaturization. BIETA is likely headquartered within the MSS ministry compound and likely led by the MSS.

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