Washington: The US Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) has made a campaign against cyber threats one of its "highest priorities," with China, Russia and Iran
in the cross hairs, the bureau's chief said.
FBI Director Robert Mueller told the House intelligence
committee yesterday that cyber-espionage constituted "one of
the most significant and complex threats facing the nation."
When asked to name the worst offenders around the globe
that pose a threat to the United States, Mueller said, "You
have countries such as Russia and China, others, Iran perhaps,
who have capabilities that we're alert to."
He singled out China for its capabilities in economic
cyber-spying -- or targeting commercial data.
"Since 2006, we've had several dozen cases,
investigations, prosecutions of individuals related to China
who have undertaken economic espionage, ex-filtration of
information and the like," the FBI director said.
Beijing has repeatedly denied any state involvement in
cyber-attacks against government agencies and firms, including
one against US Internet giant Google in early 2010 that
sparked a row between the United States and China.
Mueller said cyber attacks had "impacted our military,
other government agencies, the financial and
telecommunications sectors, and other critical
Infrastructure."
"Addressing this cyber threat will be among the FBI's
highest priorities now and in the years to come," he told
lawmakers.
PTI
First Published: Friday, October 07, 2011, 12:37