Zhou Hongyi's 2021 Two‑Session Proposals on Cybersecurity Talent Incentives, Smart Vehicle Security, and City‑Level Security Infrastructure

On March 3, 2021, Zhou Hongyi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and founder of 360, submitted a series of proposals to the Two‑Session meeting covering three main topics: cybersecurity talent recognition and incentives, smart vehicle network security, and city‑level cybersecurity infrastructure.

He argues that “hackers” possess exceptional cybersecurity talent and should be formally recognized as special talent, receiving social and state support to encourage their contributions to national security and prevent brain drain to other industries or countries.

Regarding smart connected vehicles, Zhou points out that the integration of cameras, radars, speed sensors, and navigation systems introduces remote‑control, data‑theft, and information‑spoofing risks that could endanger personal and public safety, calling for immediate strengthening of vehicle cybersecurity.

He proposes that cybersecurity systems become a standard feature of smart cars, akin to seat belts, and that the industry invest in a security‑centric architecture, including a security‑brain, big‑data platform, intelligent analysis platform, and emergency response platform.

He also recommends mandatory security testing for smart vehicles, development of realistic attack tools, creation of a comprehensive test‑case library, and establishment of a real‑network attack‑defense verification platform, making security testing a routine part of vehicle certification.

Data security in smart cars should be regulated to prohibit undisclosed data collection and excessive geographic data gathering, with standards and outbound data controls aligned with national regulations.

For cybersecurity talent, Zhou suggests a capability‑based certification system, creation of a dedicated title evaluation body, and tax incentives for qualified individuals, including personal income‑tax reductions and favorable treatment of stock and option gains.

Additional incentives such as green‑channel immigration, preferential housing, vehicle purchase, and education benefits, as well as special allowances for outstanding contributors, are also recommended.

On city‑level cybersecurity infrastructure, Zhou emphasizes that smart cities connect lighting, energy, water, power, traffic, and even waste bins, each presenting potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by professional hacker groups, posing a systemic threat.

He calls for the construction and operation of unified city‑level security infrastructure, funded at no less than 20% of total smart‑city investment, including threat intelligence centers, mapping centers, vulnerability management centers, and live‑network attack‑defense ranges.

The infrastructure should be managed centrally by security experts, providing unified command, real‑time threat detection, and rapid response, thereby supporting overall smart‑city governance and security.

Furthermore, the platform should offer public security services such as threat intelligence, vulnerability analysis, live‑network exercises, personnel training, and emergency response to city departments, enterprises, and critical users, establishing a sustainable service model to elevate overall urban cybersecurity.