It is perspective. From the Iranian stance, NSA is an APT and theirs is not. Likewise the UK version, Russian versions etc.
Them / Us.
Ask HN: Why isn't the NSA categorized as an APT?
11–12 of 12 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why isn't the NSA categorized as an APT?
#12[flagged]
That and the big question over, if they do detect a domestic agency's APT, will they even report it? Warning: Top Secret / NoForn leaks below.
Allegedly, - McAfee reached out to the FBI about Magic Lantern, - Kaspersky were believed by the NSA to not detect Russian-affiliated malware, - and I can't find any sources for this, but I remember reading about and having chats earlier in my career with folks in AV companies mulling over what to do in this situation.