US subjects Rockwell Automation’s China operations to cyber risk probe

The U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy have launched an investigation into Rockwell Automation's software facility in Dalian, China, following claims by a whistleblower alleging facility workers' access to code that may compromise U.S. national security, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Wall Street Journal reported that only Chinese nationals were noted by the whistleblower to be allegedly involved in the development, support, and updating of code that could be used to access the U.S. power grid, Navy, Coast Guard, and other federal government agencies. No information regarding a government investigation has reached Rockwell Automation, said a company spokesperson, who said that Rockwell Automation will cooperate with the probe while emphasizing the company's robust security protocols. "There has been no report or other indication that these practices and protocols have been breached or that any of our products have been intentionally compromised," the spokesperson said.