Pentagon report claims China ready to launch cyber-attack

seaeagle

Quote:

The Chinese military possesses dangerous first-strike cyberwar capabilities that include special units charged with developing viruses to attack enemy computer networks, a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) report has warned.

"The PLA [People's Liberation Army] has established information warfare units to develop viruses to attack enemy computer systems and networks, and tactics and measures to protect friendly computer systems and networks," the Pentagon's annual report to Congress on China's military power said.

"In 2005, the PLA began to incorporate offensive CNO [computer network operations] into its exercises, primarily in first strikes against enemy networks."

The report shows how the Chinese military's thinking on information warfare has changed in recent years, says Andrew Macpherson, director of the technical analysis group at the University of New Hampshire's Justiceworks and a research assistant professor of Justice Studies. (continues)

Interesting. A cyber-attack could do a lot more damage than a conventional terrorist attack. For example, knocking out the power grid across several states would have a huge impact on the economy as well as inconveniencing citizens (including putting many lives at risk).

ejward · Joined: Jan 06, 2003 Posts: 7054

I would hope that we're working on the same thing.

Phil_J · Joined: May 31, 2006 Posts: 256 Location: Manchester, UK

I'd imagine there are a number of countries with similar capabilities, and I'd be very suprised indeed if there weren't already states using criminal groups for smaller scale acts of sabotage or espionage.

Sgt Schultz · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 7378 Location: St. Louis area

8th Air Force to become new cyber command

Phil_J · Joined: May 31, 2006 Posts: 256 Location: Manchester, UK

Russians use internet as weapon

Sgt Schultz · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 7378 Location: St. Louis area

All the nations in the world are playing the game from what I've read. High tech spying, probing of defences, etc. even against their own allies. Not that I can blame any nation from doing it. It's the world we live in.