In a U.S. intelligence report that was released yesterday, officials stated that both China and Russia are using cyber espionage to steal information from the US government in order to strengthen their economy and development. Specifically mentioned were US trade and technology secrets that could present a threat to the US economy and its security.
This is not information that is brand new to most readers, but the official report stating such detailed information is. The report said that foreign intelligence services, individuals and other organizations have upped their efforts to breach the massive amounts of sensitive information that rests on servers that have vulnerabilities and that make detecting such activities hard to spot.
The report also gathered a response from the Chinese Foreign Minister’s spokesman who denied the report and instead reiterated the countries commitment to helping.
A US intelligence official stated “From a counterintelligence standpoint and the threat to our national economy, I think we have to suggest and say who we consider the foreign intelligence services and the countries that are doing the most harm,” the official said.
With billions in technology, trade and intelligence being stolen every year, the US government’s computer systems and the overall security of networks presents a challenging issue.