China Imposes New Security Curbs After Alleged Supercomputing Data Breach

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has imposed sweeping new security restrictions across government agencies following reports that a major national supercomputing center was hacked, potentially exposing vast amounts of sensitive data, according to people familiar with the matter.

The measures—ranging from bans on mobile phones in offices to tighter controls on networked devices—reflect what analysts and insiders describe as a significant escalation in Beijing’s efforts to prevent data leaks, particularly amid concerns about both external cyber threats and insider risks.

Under the new rules, employees must switch off or silence their phones before entering office areas and store them in designated signal-blocking lockers at building entrances. Staff are also required to undergo additional checks to ensure they are not carrying secondary devices—a measure designed to prevent workers from concealing backup phones.

In offices, communication is to be conducted via landlines, while printers and other terminal devices are prohibited from connecting directly to the network.

A second source, who works in a government department handling sensitive matters, told The Epoch Times that security protocols have been further intensified in units relating to foreign affairs and national defense. These offices have introduced mobile signal detection systems and require certain operations to be conducted entirely offline.

“Authorities have repeatedly stressed that internal work must be handled in a ‘disconnected’ environment,” the source said, adding that some highly sensitive computers are now barred even from internal networks and must operate as fully isolated machines.

The new restrictions are being rolled out alongside expanded cybersecurity training programs across multiple regions, including guidance on identifying phishing emails and limiting the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), according to officials and internal notices.

A retired civil servant told The Epoch Times that the scale of the latest measures marks a notable shift.

“Security controls have always existed, but enforcement has clearly intensified,” the civil servant said. “There were restrictions a decade ago on using iPhones in offices, but enforcement eased over time. Now the ban has been reinstated and expanded to include domestic devices as well.”

The inclusion of Chinese-made smartphones reflects growing concern about potential vulnerabilities, the civil servant said, noting that even domestically developed operating systems may still carry security risks.

According to the report, the compromised data may include highly sensitive materials related to missile design, aerospace research, and nuclear fusion simulations. The Chinese regime has not publicly commented on the incident.

The NSCC did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment as of publication.

A Nanjing-based network engineer told The Epoch Times that the scale of the alleged breach in the CNN report suggests the possibility of insider involvement.

“Facilities like supercomputing centers typically have multiple layers of authentication and alert systems, making direct external penetration extremely difficult,” the engineer said.

“If mobile devices were compromised, they could potentially be used as intermediaries to collect or transmit data.”

The network engineer said the moves indicate a broader effort to reduce exposure to external networks.

“Officials are concerned about vulnerabilities in VPNs and the use of foreign digital tools by internal staff,” he said. “By restricting unapproved cross-border connections, they are trying to minimize the risk of outward data flow.”