Cyber dangers threaten China’s infrastructure, state security chief warns
Cyber dangers threaten China’s infrastructure, state security chief warns
The ministry noted that as information technology advances, GIS data is both “an important strategic data resource” and “a new production factor” that has been widely applied in industry and everyday life.
“However, some organisations and individuals with ulterior motives have made use of GIS software in an attempt to steal classified and sensitive geographic data, posing threats and hidden dangers to national security,” it said.
Beijing has scaled up its anti-espionage efforts this year, with warnings over the unauthorised acquisition of “documents, data, materials and items related to national security and interests”.
In the Monday article, the ministry noted that “geographic data is classified as high-value intelligence and is a key target for foreign spy agencies in their intelligence theft efforts”.
It said high-precision geographic information could be used to recreate 3D maps related to the country’s transport systems, energy and the military.
This could provide “crucial support for reconnaissance, surveillance and military operations, posing a serious threat to our military security”, it said.
The article said “certain foreign organisations, institutions, and individuals … are attempting to conduct intelligence theft activities using GIS software” through methods including “automatically connecting the software to foreign servers to collect user data without restrictions”.
It also warned users who use GIS software to identify the coordinates of infrastructure, military targets and entities related to classified information, noting that this “creates serious risks of leaks that could result in irreparable losses”.
They should also set up strict permission for access in accordance with the level of importance of the data, it said.
