Britain: Cyber-attack could knock out British military: lawmakers

The British military's dependence on information technology means it could be "fatally compromised" by a cyber-attack but the government seems unprepared for such an event, lawmakers warned Wednesday.

Parliament's defence committee heard evidence that cyber-attacks could disrupt military communication and information systems, radars and satellites, and leave combat units such as airplanes or ships dysfunctional.

But in a new report, the MPs expressed concern that the government did not have a back-up plan in the case of a failure of technology, instead focusing on averting such attacks in the first place.

"The evidence we received leaves us concerned that with the armed forces now so dependent on information and communications technology, should such systems suffer a sustained cyber-attack, their ability to operate could be fatally compromised," the report said.

"Given the inevitable inadequacy of the measures available to protect against a constantly changing and evolving threat... it is not enough for the armed forces to do their best to prevent an effective attack.

Read more: EUROPE - Cyber-attack could knock out British military: lawmakers

Cyber Espionage: Huawei corruption allegations given to FBI

The U.S. intelligence committee has turned over to the FBI evidence of possible bribery and corruption by Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei, CBC News has learned.

The U.S. intelligence committee released a scathing report Monday about the security risks of dealing with China's two leading telecommunications firms, Huawei and ZTE.

Mike Rogers, the head of the committee, is warning that Huawei, now operating in Canada, is a threat to national security north of the border too, the CBC's Greg Weston reported. Rogers urged Canadian companies not to work with Huawei because the two countries' telecommunications systems are so integrated that it puts the U.S. at risk.

The world’s second-largest telecommunications equipment supplier, Huawei is already providing high-speed networks for Bell Canada, Telus, SaskTel and Wind Mobile – deals that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has openly applauded.

Read more: Huawei corruption allegations given to FBI - Business - CBC News

Pentagon says China building aircraft carriers

China may have started work on it first domestically built aircraft carrier and is likely to produce a number of carriers over the next decade as part of an aggressive effort to modernize its military, the Pentagon said Friday.

In its annual report to Congress appraising China's military strength, the Pentagon also cited concern about China's targeting of U.S. and other foreign computer networks as a means of collecting strategic intelligence. It based this conclusion on unspecified "authoritative writings" and China's "persistent cyber intrusions."

More broadly, the report described an ambitious Chinese military program aimed at transforming the People's Liberation Army into a modern force, fueled by years of double-digit increases in defense spending. Its main goals include preserving Communist Party rule and preparing for possible hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, the report said.

Read more: PressTV - Pentagon says China building aircraft carriers