US spy chief warns of Chinese cyberattacks

Chinese cyberespionage continues to target a "broad spectrum of U.S. interests," including national security information, sensitive economic data and intellectual property, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said on Thursday.

"Although China is an advanced cyber actor in terms of capabilities, Chinese hackers are often able to gain access to their targets without having to resort to using advanced capabilities," Clapper told the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee.

He said improved U.S. cybersecurity would complicate Chinese cyberespionage "by addressing the less sophisticated threats and raising the cost and risk if China persists," according to a written statement Clapper provided to the committee.

Clapper said the risk of a "catastrophic attack from any particular actor is remote at this time" but that he foresees continued "low-to-moderate level cyberattacks" that could undermine U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

He added that Russia, Iran and North Korea also pose significant cyberthreats to the U.S.

Wire services