Expert warns of growing cybersecurity threats

More efforts are needed to better tackle cybersecurity challenges while promoting digital China, said Zhou Hongyi, founder and chairman of 360 Security Group.

Zhou, who is also a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said while people enjoy the convenience brought by the digital technology, it also poses new threats and cybersecurity challenges.

With the booming digital technologies, the future world will be based on networks and software, Zhou said on the sidelines of the annual two sessions on Thursday in Beijing. "Software vulnerabilities are inevitable…Once attacked and controlled (by hackers), the consequences can be catastrophic."

For instance, Zhou's security company, which is known for its anti-virus software, has helped a top car company detect 17 vulnerabilities. Exploiting these vulnerabilities, hackers could remotely control millions of cars produced by the car company after 2017, Zhou noted.

"Cybersecurity has become a key issue related to not only national security, social security, urban security and infrastructure security, but also closely related to people's daily lives," Zhou added.

Looking ahead, Zhou highlighted the importance of balancing development and safety, saying network security provide a good foundation for boosting digital economy.

So far, 360 Security Group has detected more than 2,700 cyberattacks, and a total of 44 foreign hacking groups have been discovered and targeted, Zhou said.