As tensions between the U.S. and China escalate by the day, the Biden Administration has been making a push to crack down on U.S. trade with Chinese companies that only support the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its enhancement of military capabilities that directly threaten our national and economic security. This approach is recognized as a continuation of the prior administration’s “more competitive — if not confrontational” policies towards China.
China Tech Threat is encouraged by these developments as well as new action at the state level to mitigate and eliminate threats from risky Chinese technology. The fact is, federal policy directs information security for federal agencies, but not at the state level. The purchase of many risky tech products and services are restricted or banned by the U.S Department of Defense, Department of State, our intelligence agencies and more. However, states determine their own information security standards.
This week, the Georgia State Senate passed, SB 346, that will prohibit the State of Georgia or any state agencies from contracting with any company owned or operated by the Chinese government. And in New York, several members of the Congressional Delegation recently called on Governor Kathy Hochul to provide details about the state’s “lax practices relating to IT cybersecurity and espionage protections” and purchases of restricted information technology equipment by federal agencies.
China Tech Threat is encouraged to see states starting to take real action, but it is just a start. More states need to be moving legislation like in Georgia or calling for more transparency, like New York.