ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - July 25, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - July 25, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Russian National Arrested for Attempting to Destabilize France
• China’s Revises Law on Guarding State Secrets to Take Effect in September 2024
• Protesters clash with police over alleged law enforcement issues in Raipur, India

Russian National Arrested for Attempting to Destabilize France

On July 24, police announced they had arrested a Russian national days earlier for a plot to "destabilize" France. The suspect reportedly passed information to Russian intelligence that could be used to conduct pro-Russian operations during the Olympics. The arrest is unlikely to be terrorism-related but likely related to similar acts of Russian-backed sabotage occurring across Europe. Russia has been accused of escalating violent and symbolic attacks against supporters of Ukraine. A number of coffins were left near the Eiffel Tower, mimicking dead French soldiers, after President Emmanuel Macron suggested French forces could go to Ukraine. There was also mass graffiti of the Star of David across Paris. The French authorities tied both instances to Russia. The Olympics, where countless important politicians convene, often attract spies and espionage efforts. France has so far denied entry to nearly 1,000 individuals suspected of espionage and foreign interference.

China’s Revises Law on Guarding State Secrets to Take Effect in September 2024

China officially unveiled a new set of regulations to protect sensitive information, including tighter screening of government officials working with state secrets. Under the newly revised state secrets law, officials must draw up lists of state secrets with their respective areas of responsibility and face tighter screening, training, and travel restrictions to keep sensitive information safe. Additionally, manufacturers are required to innovate security and secrecy products and confidential technical equipment using new technologies, methods, and processes, and companies must obtain specific qualifications to work on products related to state secrets, and the nationality of personnel working in those related positions must be Chinese. The revised regulations expand the scope and depth and come as the Chinese government sees potential vulnerabilities in foreign competitors being able to obtain data on China ranging from political and economic statistics to environmental information. The new regulations will take effect on September 1, 2024.

Protesters clash with police over alleged law enforcement issues in Raipur, India

On July 24, protesters led by the main opposition Indian National Congress party (INC) clashed with police during an attempted blockade of the Chhattisgarh state legislative assembly in Raipur, India. Demonstrators denounced allegedly poor law enforcement by the state government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police used water cannons to deter protesters as they approached the legislative assembly. Security will likely remain high in the vicinity of the assembly for several days.