China, among other countries, attacked computers and stole information that could be used for an attack.
Admiral Michael S. Rodgers, director of the U.S National Security Agency, announced this information to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee on Thursday, according to the Washington Post. He said that those countries searched U.S computer systems in order to take plans for many of the nation’s controlling operations, among other details. Rogers also leads the Pentagon’s own U.S Cyber Command.
Reuters reported that with the information, Rogers said that they might be able to shut down the computerized mechanics of utilities and finance, among other systems. The NSA would hold off on changes to their technology by seeing what would be incorporated into future laws, he added.
The Washington Post also reported that a company called Mandiant found that hackers for the Chinese government took data from a power mechanics manufacturer about the way their mechanics were made. The Russian government was also discovered by other investigation companies as having hacked other U.S companies’ systems as well.