Chinese Hackers Pose Danger to US Computer Networks

A new report suggests computer hackers in China have found their way into the systems of companies and government agencies in the US – and may have even been responsible for two widespread blackouts in Florida and the Northeast.

According to an article by Shane Harris on the Government Executive website, the hackers — including some working on behalf of the Chinese government and military — have “penetrated deeply into the information systems of U.S. companies and government agencies, stolen proprietary information from American executives in advance of their business meetings in China, and, in a few cases, gained access to electric power plants in the United States.”

One prominent expert, Tim Bennett, the former president of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance, told Harris that he believes China’s People’s Liberation Army played a role in the power outages. Bennett claims a US intelligence official has told him the group had been traced back to the widespread blackout in the Northeast in August, 2003.

However, as Harris points out, the government has never officially asserted there was Chinese involvement in the outage. While many have said it is a possibility, no one has officially pointed a finger.

In the article, Harris goes on to examine the blackout in Florida that occurred in February, which affected three million customers. He also adds that in addition to disruptive attacks on networks, officials are also worried about the Chinese using long-established computer-hacking techniques to steal sensitive information from government agencies and US corporations.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=40112&dcn=todaysnews