Chinese government-backed hackers may be systematically planting cyberbombs across U.S. computer networks according to Richard Clarke in this WSJ op-ed. In support of this argument, that China has a hand in these attacks and not just run-of-the-mill hacker/swindlers, Mr. Clarke contends:
Cyber criminals don’t hack defense contractors—they go after banks and credit cards. Despite Beijing’s public denials, this attack and many others have all the hallmarks of Chinese government operations.
Mr. Clarke continues:
There is no money to steal on the electrical grid, nor is there any intelligence value that would justify cyber espionage: The only point to penetrating the grid’s controls is to counter American military superiority by threatening to damage the underpinning of the U.S. economy. Chinese military strategists have written about how in this way a nation like China could gain an equal footing with the militarily superior United States.
The op-ed is worth a read if you’re staying current on cyber threats and the larger geopolitical situation.
Mr. Clarke was a national security official in the White House for three presidents. He is chairman of Good Harbor Consulting, a security risk management consultancy for governments and corporations. He recently authored the book, The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About It.
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