Chinese Cyber Economic Espionage: Motivations And Responses

Abstract

Alleged Chinese cyber economic espionage periodically fills headlines, Internet security company reports, Congressional hearing transcripts, and official (and semi-official) pronouncements. Despite the apparent recognition of a problem, the US has been seemingly ineffective in deterring or dissuading continued Chinese cyber activity despite the potential significant impact to economic and national security. While accurate calculations on the cost of stolen intellectual property to US businesses are nearly impossible to determine, some estimates suggest hundreds of billions of dollars per year independent of broader and more sinister implications for the future of US competitiveness. Why China, apparently, believes it must steal at the expense of the United States, and why the United States has been unable to stem it, are crucial national security questions. An analysis of China's strategic ambitions, coupled with national policies designed to achieve them, illuminate possible answers. Similarly, an examination of the US response during the Obama Administration highlights the interplay between policy development and the influence of domestic politics, corporate interests, and narratives.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 26, 2016
Accession Number
AD1022202

Entities

People

  • G. T. Puntney

Organizations

  • School of Advanced Military Studies

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Rights
  • Commerce
  • Computer Network Security
  • Congress
  • Cyber Threats
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cybersecurity
  • Information Security
  • Intellectual Property
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Educational Psychology
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Cyber