Policy Adjustments and Cybersecurity
In March 2024, former Defense Minister General Li Shangfu was appointed Chairman of the Central Military Commission. The personnel changes signal a broader reorganization of the top ranks of China’s armed forces to strengthen its cyber warfare and defense technologies. The appointment of General Li, who has a background in cyber warfare, shows that China is working to strengthen its digital defenses as the world comes under growing threats from hackers.
Cybersecurity Policy Impact
Changes in cybersecurity regulations and strategies are introduced regularly as new staff members join. A major part of General Li’s leadership is expected to focus on building, deploying, and using state-of-the-art cyber defense systems. In a current policy brief, he stressed the importance of countering future cyber attacks through increased use of offensive and defensive cybersecurity capabilities.
Increased Cyber Advantage Measures
China has significantly increased its investment in its security programs. According to the 2024 National Defense Blueprint, the budget allocates about $10 billion for the cyber defense program, an increase of more than 15% over its predecessor. It is earmarked to improve the capabilities of the PLA Strategic Support Force (PLASSF), which controls cyber operations.
Practical Application of Cyber Strategy
In April 2024, mainland China thwarted a very serious cyber espionage campaign against critical infrastructure. The coordinated response included the immediate deployment of AI video surveillance tools and real-time threat analysis.
Cyber Defense Development Phases
- China’s cybersecurity preparedness involves a layered concept.
- Technical Research: Funding for the development of state-of-the-art technology to counter threats.
- Cyber Defense Personnel Training: Providing state-of-the-art training to hone skills to counter cyber threats.
- Target Tech Companies (Local Partners): Partner with domestic tech companies and operate a technology front.
- Operational Readiness: Conduct drills to ensure your cyber defenses are ready and your response plans are solid.
International Reactions and Impacts
The appointment of General Li Shangfu is enough to alarm the United States, who has been involved in cyber warfare. The U.S. Department of Defense pointed out in a statement that China may conduct more cyber activities.
Global Cybersecurity Partnership
The reshuffling of China’s cybersecurity leadership has forced the global cybersecurity alliance to reassess. NATO has also realized that China’s rapid cyber development has prompted us to move towards a collective defense strategy. NATO members also attended a summit to discuss increasing cyber defense spending and better sharing of intelligence.
Different Cybersecurity Strategies with Measurable Impact
China’s Chinese government-backed groups have launched unprecedented cyber activities. In 2023 alone, cyber attacks on critical infrastructure in the West increased by 30%. This upward trend is consistent with the strategic goals declared by China’s newly elected cybersecurity leaders.
This is also the impact of these events
On the evening of May 27, 2024, hackers belonging to a Chinese cyber espionage organization broke into the control system of an energy utility in a major European country and cut off the power supply with cyber damage. Although the attack caused multiple short-term power outages and exposed the weaknesses of critical infrastructure.
Actions by Affected Countries
- Advanced Monitoring: Use sophisticated surveillance and threat detection tools to immediately identify, isolate, and eliminate cyber threats.
- Defense – Invest in the training and development of cybersecurity professionals to build capabilities to counter nation-state attackers.
- Workshops and Exercises: Conduct training exercises to address gaps in cybersecurity-related emergency management responses to better understand disaster recovery preparedness; Strategic Partnerships: Enter into agreements with technology companies or international governments to share intelligence and develop innovative approaches.
- Legislative Needs: Pass laws requiring all sectors to adopt advanced cybersecurity standards, with a focus on critical infrastructure.
Strategic Forecasts
The world is preparing for the coming era of global cyberwarfare. It is not surprising that countries are looking for ways to achieve real-time threat reduction by developing autonomous cybersecurity systems. More and more companies are turning to artificial intelligence and machine learning for more sophisticated forecasting, which can combat cyberattacks with better timing and strategy.
National Security and Cybersecurity
China’s advancement in defense cybersecurity is the result of personnel changes at the top. This highlights the important move by General Li Shangfu to become Chairman of the Central Military Commission, paving the way for a shift in cybersecurity
Tangible Cyber Defense Investments
The Chinese government has invested significant resources to improve its cyber defense capabilities. In 2024, China’s Central Military Commission approved a $15 billion expansion of military services for cybersecurity. This money could be used to create more threat protection driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and even make progress in quantum encryption.
How Advanced Cybersecurity Measures Are Applied in the Real World
In June 2024, China’s financial sector suffered a sophisticated cyberattack, and cybersecurity was challenged to its limits. The attack was quickly discovered and neutralized by a newly launched AI surveillance system. But the attack revealed the extent to which China has recently strengthened its cyber defenses, and also showed that the new leadership has a good grasp of timing.
Cyber Intelligence Strategy Developments
China is investing in this area as well, and not just for defense—they want to be active partners in intelligence collectors; potential spies. The establishment of the National Cyber Intelligence Center (NCIC) in early 2024 is a good example. One of the priorities of the NCIC is to keep a close eye on threats that exist “across sectors and around the world.”
How to improve national cybersecurity
- Upgrade and replace existing cyber defense systems, and enhance security by deploying new technologies.
- Develop programs to educate and train a group of skilled experts who can solve difficult cyber problems.
- Enforce strict cybersecurity norms to comply with and protect critical infrastructure.
- Cooperate with other countries on specific cybersecurity programs to share information and joint defense.
Beijing has set a goal for China to “become a country that is ‘stronger than the strong’ in cyberspace,” that is, to become one of the most prominent players in the industry scale, a platform used by all companies, from large Alibaba and ten cents to two-person applications (i.e. NetEase format). The goal is to build a cybersecurity system that can absorb and resist complex threats. China will fully integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies into its cyber defense framework by 2025, enhancing threat detection and response capabilities.