China tests the limit of US Hacking rule

China and the United States have held the gold standard of digital diplomacy since both countries signed an agreement to not hack each other’s private sector companies for commercial gain. Yet since the deal was signed cyber security researchers have found indicators of Chinees intrusion of American companies with large hacks of companies including Microsoft, Google, Intel, and VMware. Chris Porter, the Chief Strategist for security firm FireEye says hacking groups are shifting focus from stealing intellectual property to focus on traditional government espionage. The focus shift of these hacking groups falls outside of the agreements defined hacking-ban. The hackers have been careful to curtail the regulations and when they are violated it is hard to pinpoint it to the Chinese government, even though there is evidence of Chinese hacking. Given these facts the deal has been renewed with out much change even though China appears to be pushing the edge of the deal. The renewal is due to the 90% attack reduction after the initial deal was signed. The remaining 10% could be accounted for corporate espionage or individual investment hackers and is evidence that although hacking can be reduced it can not be eliminated. The Chinese government does not have control over all hacking groups, but it is hard to determine if it was a rogue hacking unit or the government. What the deal does show is diplomacy can indeed tamp down government sponsored hacking.

1. Should governments be responsible for hacking attacks coming from their countries?
2. Is it a good thing that the focus of government hacking groups have shifted from corporate hacking to government hacking?

Article Link