US officials say report of Chinese hacking proves need for cybersecurity bill

Lawmakers and the White House said that a report accusing a Chinese military unit of orchestrating hacking attacks against U.S. computer systems shows the need for cybersecurity legislation.

The report from American computer security firm Mandiant concluded that a 12-story building in Shanghai is almost certainly the headquarters of China's secretive cyberwar division, the People's Liberation Army Unit 61398. The firm said that since 2006, the Chinese unit has stolen data from at least 141 companies across 20 major industries. At least 115 of the companies were in the United States. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Tuesday that the United States has "substantial and growing concerns" about cyber attacks. Senate Homeland Security Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) said the report is "yet another important reminder" of the nation's frightening vulnerability to cyber attacks. "The report shows what we already knew," said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. "China is robbing American companies blind, stealing our valuable trade secrets and stealing our jobs. We must give our businesses the cyber threat intelligence they need to protect themselves from these cyber attacks."