An increasing threat to United States national security is posed by the People’s Republic of China, according to a report by the consulting firm Booz Allen. China threatens its enemies with cyberattacks that fall short of a full-scale military conflict. The list of infamous cyberattacks traced to Chinese hackers reads like a greatest-hits compilation of acts of cyberterrorism. The massive data breach that occurred at the federal Office of Personnel Management in 2015, the breach that occurred at Equifax in 2017, the attack that happened on the computer networks of six state governments in 2021, and the theft of intellectual property worth trillions of dollars from approximately 30 multinational corporations are some examples of these types of incidents. The most recent known instance occurred in August 2023, when Chinese hackers targeted a US military procurement system and several Taiwanese organisations for reconnaissance. Attackers targeted high-bandwidth routers to exfiltrate data and establish covert proxy networks within target systems.
Jennifer Ewbank, who works for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as the Deputy Director for Digital Innovation, says China is the biggest cyber danger to the United States. In an interview with Summer Myatt of the YouTube channel Executive Mosaic, Ewbank talked about how the CIA uses new technologies, data analysis, and partnerships to deal with this danger and protect national security.
Jennifer says that the CIA is actively adapting to and embracing new technology and improvements to stay ahead of the competition in the intelligence field. The Chinese government is getting better at computer espionage because of technological advances. The speaker also says that in recent years, much attention has been paid to two big changes in intelligence.
While Chinese players, according to Jennifer Ewbank, use digital technology to disseminate their messaging. However, the CIA is working hard to adapt to and take advantage of these advances to defend national security. The problem comes from its ability to avoid being found in a world where sensors are everywhere, and technology is advancing.
The individual said the CIA deals with this threat using data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Due to China’s skill and creativity in the cyber domain, the CIA has to deal with the cyber danger it poses in several ways. These include both offensive and defensive strategies. Through data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and open-source information, the CIA gets new ideas and maximises the worth of intelligence. Artificial intelligence is a key part of the CIA’s success, and the agency is working hard to adapt to the challenges and rewards of integrating AI technologies into its operations.
The CIA has focused on how data is growing quickly and in large amounts and the problems of turning it into useful information and insights. The CIA combines machines and AI with human agents to get useful insights that help them analyse and use data more efficiently. Jennifer explained that China is seen as the United States’ biggest cyber danger because it uses and deploys artificial intelligence technologies to make weapons and do offensive cyber operations.
One of Jennifer’s challenges in the venture is the ethical question. China uses AI and big data to support authoritarian governments, while the US is forced to use and improve AI technology while keeping values, rules, laws, and ethics in mind.
To deal with the problems that China brings, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) puts a lot of stress on making alliances with American businesses. The Deputy Director of Digital Innovation said that her organisation works hard to get around classification problems so that the CIA and its business partners can work together better.
To deal with China’s constant cyber danger, the CIA needs to put American values first and make it easier for people to work together.
The CIA wants to make it easier for companies to work together by removing classification barriers. It knows how important ties with American companies are in the digital world. The Director of Digital Innovation pursues this goal.
The CIA uses social media sites, especially LinkedIn, to connect with new businesses and discover possible ways to work together. The CIA has successfully shared information about the future of intelligence and technology through panels, speeches, podcasts, webinars, and interviews, among other ways. Also, according to Jennifer, the agency has stressed the value of working together and has started creating a website where people can ask about technology.