Britain Forges Cyber Ties with China
While the United States keeps accusing China of the criminal hacking of the US companies, the United Kingdom cyber investigators have forged relationships with China. During 2014, there were at least 2 meetings between the UK National Crime Agency and Chinese law enforcement, and “24/7 contact points” have been established in order to fight cybercrime between the two countries.
In the meantime, security experts pointed out that attacks emanating from China affected public and private outfits in the United Kingdom, without any legal action taken by the authorities. For example, a unit within the Chinese People’s Liberation Army had allegedly targeted satellite companies across the United States and Europe, including the UK.
However, instead of showing signs of taking action, the National Crime Agency has encouraged collaboration with China on digital crime. As part of this, a delegation of UK experts went to China for a seminar with Chinese cyber law enforcement agencies in February 2014. During the visit, the British delegation sought to establish ties which would help the countries cooperate and share information.
In response, the members of Chinese law enforcement visited the UK last month, though the purpose of the visit wasn’t disclosed. The NCA claimed they found the right balance between working with both US and Chinese law enforcement, while realizing the risks and the sensitivities. In any case, the countries agree that there are cases they can work together on.
In the meantime, the United States, which has worked closely with the Britain on cybercrime investigations like Cryptolocker malware takedown, has behaved far more aggressively to China’s alleged cyber espionage campaigns. The recent news was that the US authorities charged 5 members of the People’s Liberation Army in China with hacking the US businesses.
In response, China has repeatedly denied claims over cyber espionage abroad. And few in the UK believe that the government or its law enforcement agencies will ever take action against China – largely because the country is trying to forge close trade ties with China. And indeed, this strategy seems to pay off – bilateral trade rose 8% overall in 2013. The businesses, which feel they need protection against Chinese intruders, are simply taking matters into their own hands.
