(March, 21st) Admiral Mike Rogers, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command, told Congress last week that the Chinese government continues to engage in intensive cyber-attacks on the U.S, government and private sector.
Admiral Mike Rogers, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command, told Congress last week that the Chinese government continues to engage in intensive cyber-attacks on the U.S Government and private sector. No surprise!
Despite a formal pledge made by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in September, “cyber-operations from China are still targeting and exploiting U.S. government, defense industry, academic, and private computer networks,” Admiral Rogers told the House Armed Services Committee on March 16.
Rogers echoed comments on continued Chinese cyber-attacks made by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper in February.
Mr. Clapper said that “it remains to be seen” if China will abide by the informal pledge made during a summit meeting in Washington with President Obama to stop its relentless attacks, But virtually no one believes that it will, whatever the public rhetoric.
China’s wide-ranging cyber attacks are aimed at stealing government and industry information, including on personnel for possible blackmail, and mapping critical computer networks for future attacks in a crisis or out-and-out conflict. Major areas of concern include physical infrastructure such as transportation systems, electric utilities and water supplies.
Admiral Rogers has also noted that nation states are masking their cyber attacks by getting non-government hackers to do the attacking.
Unspecified nation states are expanding cooperation “with a much broader range” of hackers in a bid to hide the source of sophisticated cyber-attacks.
Rogers also disclosed new details about cyber attacks last July against the e-mail system used by the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff that is believed to have been orchestrated by the Russian government.
The admiral said he is “comfortable” that Cyber Command can counter cyber-threats from Russia, China and other unfriendly states and other entities and individuals.