
China discourages its top hackers from sharing exploits with the rest of the world
“If cybersecurity is a battlefield, then loopholes are munitions”
China’s hackers are renowned for their skills at international hacking competitions. But now they’re being told to stay home by the government because of national security concerns -- and experts say that could make everyone less secure.
Hacking competitions aren’t just about pride. They play a vital role in increasing cybersecurity. White hat hackers -- ethical hackers -- attend competitions to expose bugs and potential vulnerabilities in software.
The move has the potential to undermine security for everyone, Adam Segal from the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program at the Council on Foreign Relations told the South China Morning Post.
“If it is long term, it would weaken global cybersecurity efforts and reinforce the sense that Chinese cyberspace is doing everything possible to cut itself off from the rest of the world.”
But one analyst based in China told the newspaper that it made sense for the country to keep sensitive information for itself.
MoreSec’s Wei Xingguo said “If cybersecurity is a battlefield, then loopholes are munitions.”
For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.
