Report finds the most worrisome cyber threats are China -- and the U.S.

FCW reported last week on a report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and McAfee that had interesting tidbits about how 600 executives working in sectors such as electrical grids, oil and gas production, telecommunications, and transportation networks felt about their cybersecurity.

The report included a few surprises, including that many of the executives believe the government of the United States to be a potential threat to their critical infrastructure.

According to the report, executives were asked which country “you worry is of greatest concern in the context of network attacks against your country/sector.”

Thirty-six percent of those surveyed identified the United States, followed by China at 33 percent, the report said. Only 12 percent picked Russia as their top worry. Meanwhile, 59 percent of those surveyed thought representatives of foreign governments had already been involved in attacks and infiltrations that targeted critical infrastructure in their countries.

The 600 executives are in 14 countries and work in seven sectors considered critical infrastructure. The largest number, 100, were based in the United States; 50 each were in Japan, China, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy; 30 each were in Russia, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and India; and 20 were in Saudi Arabia. Market research company Vanson Bourne conducted the survey in September 2009.