China seen using 'white hat' hackers to boost cyberattack capability

Vulnerabilities targeted heavily since bug hunters required to notify Beijing

20240823N China cyber

The bug-hunting skills of Chinese white hats are highly regarded worldwide. © Reuters

ATSUSHI TERAOKA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- China is increasingly suspected of making "white hat" hackers, who are usually employed to find weaknesses in cybersecurity, complicit in cyberattacks, accelerating the country's offensive efforts in the field by effectively mobilizing its world-class private hackers.

An investigation by Nikkei other organizations had found that since 2021 -- when it became mandatory in China to report vulnerabilities in software and other products to the government -- the number of attacks in which Chinese involvement is suspected has increased sharply.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.