Tensions Between Countries Result in Cyber Attacks

Tensions Between Countries Result in Cyber Attacks

Today, threats of espionage between governments exist for multiple reasons. It stems from the United States trading and receiving cyber-attacks with China and Iran. Threats stem from response to the tense political climate between the two countries and the United States. For China and Iran, the recent tension with the United States is due to recent political and cyber actions against one another. Actions taken by the United States, China, and Iran are stressors for the cyberwar and political dynamic that is occurring now between themselves.

The tension between Iran and the United States is due to the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Iran. The spike in tension originated from the United States pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal between the two countries last year. In recent months, Iran has been perpetrating attacks on American companies and government agencies.[1] Adding to this, these kinds of attacks have increased with a greater usage of wiper attacks, which wipes the data off computers that were attacked.[2] The increase in frequency of cyber-attacks by Iran is aiding to the escalating tension between the United States and Iran. The rise of attacks increases the difficulty of a peaceful dialogue that could lessen the conflict between Iran and the United States.

The tension between China and the United States is due to China hacking American companies and government agencies to steal data for commercial and intellectual gain. Over the past few years, China has been stealing American technology and trade secrets for commercial gain .[1] This shows a break in trust for the United States in China because in the 2015 talks between President Obama and Xi, an accord was reached where neither the United States or China would sanction or support cyber thefts on each other.[2] The breach of the accord damages the relationship between the United States and China, resulting in the need for the United States to reevaluate China’s assurance to cease hacking American industries.

Adding to the tension, around January, there was an increase in China trying to steal trade and military secrets from American military contractors.[3] This resulted in American officials’ loss of faith that the cyber-attacks will desist. To cement this way of thinking, Chinese loss of faith that the cyber-attacks will desist. To cement this way of thinking, Chinese hackers attacked and compromised telecom firms and other companies in more than 30 countries around the world.[1] This allows China  to gain information from the countries targeted; from information on government officials, law enforcement, and policies.[2] This attack would give China an advantage in talks and negotiations with countries that had targeted companies and agencies. It also shows other nations  that China has not limited or halted their cyber-attacks against other countries and the target’s companies and agencies. China’s actions show that attacks are still happening and more could be in the work. It also exposes that  any country could be victimized by a Chinese cyber-attack.

 

Contact LIFARS if your company has been attacked.

 


 

Bibliography

[1] Perlroth, N. (2019, February 18). Chinese and Iranian Hackers Renew Their Attacks on U.S. Companies. Retrieved June 25, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/technology/hackers-chinese-iran-usa.html

[2] Pomerleau, M., & Eversden, A. (2019, June 25). What to make of US cyber activities in Iran. Retrieved June 26, 2019, from https://www.c4isrnet.com/dod/2019/06/25/why-trump-may-have-opted-for-a-cyberattack-in-iran/

[3] Nakashima, E., & Lynch, D. J. (2018, December 11). Trump administration to condemn China over hacking and economic espionage, escalating tensions between superpowers. Retrieved June 25, 2019, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-to-condemn-china-over-hacking-and-economic-espionage-escalating-tensions-between-superpowers/2018/12/11/699e375c-f985-11e8-8d64-4e79db33382f_story.html?utm_term=.9a2bcbbb7ff4

[4] Obama, B., & Xi, J. (2015). Remarks by President Obama and President Xi of the People’s Republic of China in Joint Press Conference [Transcript]. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/09/25/remarks-president-obama-and-president-xi-peoples-republic-china-joint

[5] Nakashima, E., & Lynch, D. J. (2018, December 11). Trump administration to condemn China over hacking and economic espionage, escalating tensions between superpowers. Retrieved June 25, 2019, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-to-condemn-china-over-hacking-and-economic-espionage-escalating-tensions-between-superpowers/2018/12/11/699e375c-f985-11e8-8d64-4e79db33382f_story.html?utm_term=.9a2bcbbb7ff4

[6] Rabinovitch, A. (2019, June 25). Hackers steal data from telcos in espionage campaign: Cyber firm. Retrieved June 26, 2019, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyber-telecoms-cybereason/hackers-hit-global-telcos-in-espionage-campaign-cyber-research-firm-idUSKCN1TQ0BC

[7] Rabinovitch, A. (2019, June 25). Hackers steal data from telcos in espionage campaign: Cyber firm. Retrieved June 26, 2019, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyber-telecoms-cybereason/hackers-hit-global-telcos-in-espionage-campaign-cyber-research-firm-idUSKCN1TQ0BC