Top internet regulator maps out cybersecurity strategy

The top internet regulator has mapped out a national security strategy, aiming to safeguard cyberspace sovereignty, security and interests of cyberspace development.

The government will strive to build a peaceful, secure, open, cooperative and orderly cyberspace, according to the strategy issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China on Tuesday.

It said the government will firmly safeguard cyberspace sovereignty and national security, protect key information infrastructure and crack down on cyberterror and cybercrime.

Wang Xiujun, deputy head of the administration, said the document provides a guideline for the nation’s cybersecurity work.

She said the work will address nine aspects, including international cooperation and cracking down on cyberterror and cybercrime.

The document underscores the importance of protecting key information infrastructure and states that an appraisal of such infrastructure should be in place before it is put into use.

Websites of governments and the Communist Party of China have been asked to step up prevention of cyberspace risks.

The document also states that internet fraud, infringement on intellectual property and theft of personal information are prevalent. It states that such crimes should be met with tough punishments.

In the first 11 months of the year, 93,000 cases involving telecommunication and internet fraud were uncovered, involving 52,000 suspects, Chen Shiqu, deputy inspector of the Ministry of Public Security’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, said on Tuesday.

He said malicious computer programs, such as a Trojan horse, and phishing websites are still in operation, despite the clampdown by the police authorities.

“The means of telecom and internet fraud have been upgraded, which requires united efforts from all parts of society to root out and crack down on such scams,” Chen said.

National efforts have been made to tighten the management of cyberspace and fight against telecom and internet fraud.

Last month, the standing committee of the top legislature, the National People’s Congress, adopted the country’s first cybersecurity law, stipulating that the government will take measures to “monitor, defend and handle cybersecurity risks and threats originating from within the country or overseas sources, protecting key information infrastructure from attack, intrusion, disturbance and damage”.

In June last year, a joint working group involving 23 central government organizations, including the Ministry of Public Security and the People’s Bank of China, was set up to clamp down on telecom and internet fraud.

The means of telecommunication and internet fraud have been upgraded, which requires united efforts ... to root out and crack down on such scams.” Chen Shiqu, deputy inspector of the Ministry of Public Security’s Criminal Investigation Bureau