The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) was hacked over the summer following intensified trade talks between the U.S. and Beijing. A cybersecurity firm hired by NAM confirmed that the attack came from China through analyzing techniques that have previously been identified as associated with Chinese hackers. It remains unclear if or what data was stolen when an internal computer network was compromised.
NAM has gained influence in the past few years as President Trump aims to relocate manufacturing jobs to the United States, and NAM spokeswoman confirmed that they had previously identified cyberattacks as a high threat to the organization. Although it is still unclear why NAM was targeted, sources state that the Chinese hackers likely intensified efforts to access classified U.S. information in the days surrounding a meeting between Trump and NAM President Jay Timmons. The attack also occurred prior to formal negotiations over a potential deal between the U.S. and China.
Read More: Exclusive: U.S. manufacturing group hacked by China as trade talks intensified
