China-linked adversaries are responsible for 58% of state-sponsored cyber intrusions targeting the US technology sector, according to CrowdStrike’s 2026 Technology Threat Landscape Report. The data, covering April 2025 through March 2026, indicates a strategic push by Beijing to acquire artificial intelligence capabilities and intellectual property.
Five distinct threat groups-MURKY PANDA, MUSTANG PANDA, OVERCAST PANDA, SUNRISE PANDA, and WARP PANDA-are driving this campaign. MURKY PANDA alone compromised more than 340 US-based entities through password-spraying operations. These groups prioritize the technology sector over all other industries, reflecting China's broader goal of technological self-sufficiency.
The landscape has shifted dramatically, with an 89% increase in attacks conducted by AI-enabled adversaries. The technology industry is now the most targeted sector globally, facing threats from both state-sponsored actors and criminal enterprises. This surge underscores the critical vulnerability of AI assets in the current geopolitical climate.