CrowdStrike warns of increasing Chinese AI cyberattacks on U.S. tech
U.S.-based cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike issued a warning on Tuesday about the increasing cyberattacks originating from China-based entities. These attacks are specifically targeting artificial intelligence assets in an attempt to bridge the technological gap with the United States.
According to CrowdStrike’s report, Chinese entities accounted for more than 58% of state-sponsored targeted cyberattacks aimed at tech companies, with a particular focus on stealing AI capabilities. The report highlighted that China-nexus adversaries are intensifying their espionage efforts against technology organizations to acquire AI capabilities and intellectual property that they are unable to develop on their own.
The analysis conducted by CrowdStrike covered events from the past 12 months up to March 31. The report also mentioned that U.S. restrictions on China’s access to AI training chips have hindered Beijing’s tech advancements. However, Chinese companies have been able to develop their own AI models that offer comparable intelligence while reducing operational costs.
CrowdStrike noted that Chinese-affiliated cyberattacks have targeted government communications in Southeast Asia and have maintained persistent access to North American tech organizations by exploiting vulnerabilities. The Cyberspace Administration of China did not provide an immediate response to CNBC’s request for comment.
Earlier this year, American AI giants Anthropic and OpenAI raised concerns about Chinese companies extracting competitive intelligence from U.S. tech firms. Analysts have cautioned about the blurry lines surrounding illicit behavior in this context.
In recent weeks, Anthropic has showcased the cyber capabilities of its latest Mythos model and introduced it to companies like CrowdStrike. Anthropic released a public version of the model, named Claude Fable 5, which Artificial Analysis described as being significantly ahead of other models in terms of intelligence.
CrowdStrike also discovered attempts by North Korea-affiliated entities to infiltrate IT workforces across North America, Europe, and Asia, primarily to generate revenue for the regime.
The escalating cyberattacks from China-based entities targeting AI assets emphasize the importance of cybersecurity measures for tech companies to protect their intellectual property and maintain a competitive edge in the global tech landscape.
