The answer is yes according to intelligence sources who have apparently talked to Business Insider, which published a story on this issue last week.
The focus is on Huawei Technologies Co Ltd., which U.S. sources claim has direct links to the Chinese government and the People's Liberation Army. Apparently, this company and others have built backdoors into telecommunications technology sold to the U.S. and other countries.
Here is what mystifies me. We've known for years that China is engaged in massive cyber-espionage and is well-poised to do well in cyberwarfare. So what genius thought it was a great idea to buy equipment from a probable opponent in a cyberwar? Seriously, my yellow lab Maddy isn't all that bright, but even he knows not to buddy up with a dog who is snarling at you.
Apparently these Chinese companies are also manufacturing counterfeit parts meant to screw up such small time operations as our defensive missile systems.
Why, why, why are we buying technology from China or permitting U.S. defense contractors to do so?
One source said that any cyberattack by China would be considered an act of war requiring a military response. Of course, we've already admitted that we engaged in a cyberattack on Iran via the Stuxnet worm, so someone is going to have to explain the logic of that thinking to me.
In the meantime, I think we ought to make my dog Maddy the chief procurement officer for the U.S. government. He sure couldn't do worse.
Hat tip to friend and colleague Dave Ries for sending the story.
E-mail: snelson@senseient.com Phone: 703-359-0700
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