China Unveils Cybersecurity Innovation Center

China on Tuesday unveiled a Cybersecurity Innovation Center (CIC) to develop cyber defense systems ‘to help win future cyber wars.’

The CIC was set up under the instruction of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development and related military bodies, which will also supervise and manage the center during its operation by one of China’s leading cybersecurity companies, 360 Enterprise Security Group, Chinamil website reported today.

The center will focus on building cyber defense systems for military-related internet services and a threat intelligence sharing mechanism for military users in the first stage, Wu Yunkun, president of the 360 Enterprise Security Group said.

A special fund for cybersecurity innovation investment and teams of researchers that are supported by local governments, the military, and enterprises will be set up. It is also mulling to conduct a pilot study on cyber militia construction and to set up a mechanism to offer cyber emergency response services and advanced persistent threat (APT) analysis and monitoring services to the military and local government bodies.

In a strategy paper released by Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) last December, China vowed to develop a cyber defense compatible with its international status as a major cyber power – a national goal with a development timeline by 2035.

Three months later, an international strategy document published by the Chinese foreign ministry and CAC made clear that national defense in cyberspace is one crucial part of Chinese military modernization, following the same military strategy of active defense.

“Countries like the US and Israel that are taking the lead in cyberspace development have demonstrated how cybersecurity companies can help support a nation’s national defense needs in the virtual world. In turn, the development of cyber defense can help give a boost to the whole industry,” Qi Xiangdong, Chairman of the 360 Enterprise Security Group, noted at the ceremony.