A report by Mandiant, an American computer security company, has detailed the extent of Chinese government backed hacking of America.
Mandiant spent three years compiling evidence and now claim to have located the Chinese Liberation Army’s global hacking HQ. A 12 story building in a suburb of Shanghai, has been identified as the possible source of state funded cyber attacks, the report claims.
The report details how Chinese cyber attacks have targetted US businesses as well as government agencies. The hackers have been stealing sensitive corporate information, and have even gained access to government agencies which control fundamental US infrastructure. Theoretically, hackers could manipulate crucial infrastructure including water supply and power grids.
Jay Carney, a spokesman for the White House, said: “We have repeatedly raised our concerns at the highest levels about cyber theft with senior Chinese officials including in the military and we will continue to do so.”
Sen Diane Finestein has also said that the problem of hacking from China and other states requires further legislation. However, security experts have pointed out that international laws are already in place that prohibit such activities, and that China has repeatedly failed to tackle the problem of hacking within it’s country.
The Chinese government has been quick to attack the Mandiant report, saying it lacks technical proof.