
A U.S. cybersecurity official warned on Friday that Chinese hackers are positioning themselves within key U.S. infrastructure networks in anticipation of a potential conflict. Morgan Adamski, executive director of U.S. Cyber Command, stated that China-linked cyber operations are designed to give Beijing an advantage in the event of a major crisis or military confrontation with the U.S.
Speaking at the Cyberwarcon security conference in Arlington, Virginia, Adamski outlined how Chinese hackers have been targeting critical IT networks, including systems that control energy, water, and communication services. The goal of these infiltrations is to enable potential disruptions in the event of heightened tensions between the two countries.
🇺🇸🇨🇳BREAKING: CHINESE HACKERS ARE READY FOR CYBER WAR
U.S. cyber officials warn: Beijing’s hackers are deep in critical systems—power grids, water supplies, even telecoms—ready to flip the switch if conflict sparks.
Dubbed “Salt Typhoon,” they’ve stolen call data, breached… pic.twitter.com/47QwWcwntB
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 22, 2024
Chinese hackers preparing for conflict, says US cyber official https://t.co/qJRMCvBAG9 pic.twitter.com/uRAY3iATyF
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) November 22, 2024
This warning follows the recent discovery of the “Salt Typhoon” cyber espionage campaign, which has been called the worst telecom hack in U.S. history. The breach affected several major telecommunications companies and resulted in the theft of sensitive call records, as well as the compromise of communications from top U.S. political officials. The FBI has been investigating the extent of the damage, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been providing assistance to affected organizations.
Chinese hackers were able to deeply penetrate U.S. telecommunications infrastructure over the past several months.
The worst part? The networks are still compromised and it may take incredibly drastic measures to boot them from U.S. systems.https://t.co/VEnviG2NIt
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) November 23, 2024
Despite Beijing’s repeated denials of involvement in these cyberattacks, U.S. officials are taking proactive steps to counter Chinese cyber activities. Adamski revealed that the U.S. government has implemented synchronized offensive and defensive actions to degrade Chinese cyber capabilities. These efforts include public exposés of Chinese operations, sanctions, and indictments aimed at disrupting China’s cyber espionage activities.
NSA director Gen Haugh tells me he’d like to publish a hunt guide for Salt Typhoon so companies and allies can find, oust and protect against Chinese telco hackers. That needs collective action at speed, he said at NSIF2024.https://t.co/GnImrfoWg0
— Katrina Manson (@KatrinaManson) November 20, 2024
Senator Warns Chinese Hackers "Salt Typhoon" Have Access To All U.S. Mobile Phones https://t.co/lu0MrFDXGc
— The Beach From Florida (@BeachFrmFL) November 23, 2024
The growing cyber threat from China underscores the increasing importance of cybersecurity in national defense. As the U.S. continues to face challenges from state-sponsored cyberattacks, the need for stronger defenses to protect critical infrastructure becomes more pressing. The situation highlights the role of cyber warfare in modern geopolitical conflicts and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard national security.