Laura L. Knapp

Interpreting Chinese Cyber Attacks of 2007: Indications of China's Cyber Warfare Strategy Laura L. Knapp

Cyberspace is rapidly gaining acceptance in the US defense community as a warfighting domain on par with air, land, and sea. However, the Chinese recognized this over ten years ago and have been steadily developing doctrine, building military forces, and conducting training in order to utilize the cyber domain to its best advantage. In 2007, Chinese cyber espionage activities caused a large media buzz both based on their sophistication and volume. The attacks led to several questions, specifically: Who caused these attacks? What were their purposes? What do they tell us about future Chinese cyber operations? After analyzing the targets of the these attacks and the methods used, it is apparent that the People's Liberation Army of China is actively conducting a cyber campaign targeting the diplomatic, military, informational, and economic capabilities of western nations (to include Taiwan and Japan). China has multiple cyber resources, from the military to university scholars to information technology corporations. Chinese military officers emphasize the importance of cyber warfare in China's national and military strategy; they view it as on par with a combat system. In assessing China's capabilities, intent, and previous actions, I assert that China is conducting a systematic, long-range cyber campaign designed to achieve regional hegemony, continued economic advancement, and global superpower status.