US internal security faces serious threat from Chinese cyber attacks, CIA director warns

Washington: – William Burns, Director of CIA, the principal US intelligence agency, warned that China is proving to be the biggest challenge for the United States in the 21st century. China may launch cyberattacks on anything, ranging from local agencies to the susceptible systems, linked to the US internal security. There is a severe threat to US security from Chinese espionage. Moreover, other intelligence agencies and think tanks are also issuing warnings similar to the CIA director.

Last month, the cyberattack on Microsoft was linked to China. The United States announced an Emergency Alert following this attack. The alert was mandated against the background of the company’s association with the US security agencies and infrastructure.

Moreover, China was involved in the cyberattacks on US Public and Private companies and the infrastructural facilities. Mandiant, a US cybersecurity company, has made this allegation. In comparison, another cybersecurity company based in Utah accused Chinese hackers of cyberattacks on the companies linked to the US defence sector.

Against the background of all these developments, the CIA Director is warning that there is a major threat to the US internal security from China. But China has dismissed the US allegation and made a counter-accusation that the United States itself is the most prominent kingdom of cyber hacking.