Canadian expert David Vigneault warns of China’s ‘industrial-strength’ attempts to steal new technologies

Hostile spy agencies are now as focused on infiltrating western universities and companies as they are on doing so to governments, according to the former head of Canada’s intelligence service.

David Vigneault warned that a recent “industrial-scale” attempt by China to steal new technologies showed the need for increased vigilance from academics.

"The frontline has moved, from being focused on government information to private sector innovation, research innovation and universities,” he told the Guardian in his first interview since leaving the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which is part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing alliance with the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Vigneault said China’s leadership had been on a long programme of military regeneration after being horrified by how swiftly the US army took over Iraq in 2003.

Beijing decided to invest in “asymmetric capabilities” and steal as much technical knowledge as possible from the west.

  • hcf@sh.itjust.works
    61·
    3 days ago

    The frontline has moved, from being focused on government information to private sector innovation, research innovation and universities […]

    What a way for that guy to muddy the waters. Research innovation at publicly subsidized universities is the same as government infiltration if the research in question is government-funded miltech.

    Vigneault highlighted Beijing as the main culprit, saying it was using a combination of cyber-attacks, infiltrated agents and recruitment among university staff to acquire sensitive technologies.

    Ah, there it is. He won’t say it bluntly, but the problem is that the PLA is essentially stealing missile tech and/or CBW research “that we totally weren’t planning to use for miltech, guys.” (/s)

    Speaking as an American, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry so much about Chinese infiltration and theft of university-derived missile/robo tech if Lockeed (& ilk) weren’t constantly sponsoring student competitions as an avenue for recruitment.

    If not valid military intelligence target, why military intelligence target shaped? :/

    ETA:

    University staff were recruited by foreign powers based on either naivety, ideology or greed, he said.

    Have they tried paying in another currency other than peanuts?