Technology made in China is a clear security risk, according to CISA CEO
The executive director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency expresses concern about Chinese espionage through electronic devices and other assets.
US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) chief executive Brandon Wales has warned Australian consumers to be wary of any Chinese-made technology, saying Chinese hardware is “inherently suspect”.
“I think any time you buy technology from a country that has, as its stated purpose, to penetrate the critical infrastructure of the United States and keep it at risk, that technology is going to be inherently suspect,” Wales said. The Australian Financial Review.
Wales’ comments about the risks posed by Chinese-made technologies come as President Joe Biden recently ordered US authorities to investigate the risks posed by Chinese-made electric vehicles.
However, such concerns are nothing new, nor are concerns about Chinese devices in general.
National security expert John Blaxland warned of the dangers of relying on Chinese hardware and said China was “in a league of its own” in terms of data collection last year.
“No matter what type of manufacturing takes place within China, you can expect that Chinese Communist Party authorities will be able to access the data collected by those companies,” Blaxland told Sky News in February 2023.
“I think we have to assume that our conversations are being heard.
“You can no longer assume that your conversations are truly private unless you’ve stepped away from technology.”
Speaking specifically of vehicles made in China – not specifically electric ones – Liberal Senator James Paterson warned about what China could do with the data it collects from motor vehicles.
“Certainly, if you are a politician, a journalist, an activist or an academic working on issues related to China or national security, then you need to be very careful about the Chinese technological devices you use,” Paterson said. in the same article.
Paterson mentioned the so-called “Chinese intelligence law” as a particular concern.
The law, Paterson said, “requires all Chinese companies and individuals to assist Chinese intelligence agencies and keep it secret.”
“The problem this raises is that any Australian citizen could have their data fall into the hands of Chinese intelligence services and not realize what has happened.”
