Robert Anderson
Executive Assistant Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Press Conference Announcing Charges Against Five Chinese Military Hackers, U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C.
May 19, 2014

Combating State-Sponsored Cyber Espionage

Remarks prepared for delivery.

Good morning.

Today’s actions charging five Chinese military hackers with illegally penetrating the computer networks of six U.S. victims demonstrate that we will not stand by and watch other countries steal our nation’s intellectual property.

It’s no secret that the Chinese government has blatantly sought to use cyber espionage to obtain economic advantage for its state-owned industries.

Diplomatic efforts and public exposure have failed to curtail these activities. So we have taken the next step of securing an indictment of some of the most prolific hackers of the 3PLA.

These individuals are alleged to have used a variety of techniques, including e-mails that launched malicious software to steal proprietary and sensitive information from U.S. victims.

The victims have suffered significant loss as a result of the 3PLA’s tactics.

Our future is being built every day by the innovation and effort of American workers and companies. None of us can afford to watch it be stolen.

We believe there are many more victims. We hope that today’s actions encourage them to come forward.

As stated earlier by the AG, this announcement is the culmination of several years of work by those represented on this stage and many others who aren’t here today.

That includes a task force of DOJ’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, and the Cyber, Counterintelligence, and Criminal Investigative Divisions at FBI Headquarters.

This investigation has touched more than 46 FBI field offices.

It is a landmark case that shows how the interaction between U.S. government and private enterprise can succeed.

This first indictment of Chinese cyber actors clears the way for additional charges to be made.

This is the new normal. This is what you’re going to see on a recurring basis—and not just every six months. If you are going to attack Americans—whether for criminal or national security purposes—we are going to hold you accountable. No matter what country you live in.

Thank you.

- Related press release: U.S. Charges Five Chinese Military Hackers for Cyber Espionage Against U.S. Corporations and a Labor Organization for Commercial Advantage