Staff Reports
In a further illustration of China's efforts to destabilize the United States, a high-ranking U.S. cybersecurity official voiced a cautionary note during a session at the Aspen Institute. The warning indicated that in the event of a dispute with the U.S., Chinese hackers could potentially focus their efforts on major American infrastructure elements such as pipelines and railways.
BREAKING: A senior U.S. cybersecurity official warns that Chinese hackers are FULLY CAPABLE of interfering with key American infrastructure, including pipelines and railways.
Why isn’t Joe Biden addressing this? https://t.co/arWRQ4UXdZ
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) June 12, 2023
Jen Easterly, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, cited in a Reuters report, underscored that Beijing has made significant investments towards sabotaging U.S. infrastructure. She recommended that Americans brace themselves for the likelihood of Chinese hackers breaching U.S. security measures to cause actual harm.
BREAKING: A senior US cybersecurity official has told Reuters that Chinese hackers are ready to disrupt critical American infrastructure including pipelines & railways if conflict between the U.S. & China intensifies.
Thank goodness Biden is focused on the issues that matter…
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 12, 2023
This alert closely follows accusations targeted at a Chinese hacking collective named Volt Typhoon. U.S. authorities and cybersecurity specialists speculate that this group could execute destructive cyber onslaughts in case of a confrontation.
Earlier this year, U.S. intelligence agencies issued a similar warning suggesting Beijing would "undoubtedly consider launching assertive cyber operations against U.S. critical homeland infrastructure" and military objectives, should Chinese policymakers anticipate a major conflict with the United States is forthcoming.
Easterly's remarks further amplify the gravity of the menace originating from Chinese state-backed entities. They possess the funding, the proficiency, and the drive to disrupt American infrastructure, and it will be extremely tough to avert such disturbances.
The United States must urgently recognize the impending threat from China, and take the necessary steps to safeguard critical infrastructure and fortify defenses against cyber onslaughts. The U.S. can ill afford to stand by and only respond to China's nefarious plans after they've resulted in significant damage.
