Feb 22 2025 3 mins
This is your Dragon's Code: America Under Cyber Siege podcast.
Hey there, I'm Ting, and welcome to Dragon's Code: America Under Cyber Siege. Let's dive right into the latest on Chinese cyber operations targeting US infrastructure.
Over the past few days, we've seen some of the most sophisticated attacks yet. Just last month, the US Treasury Department revealed that hackers linked to Beijing had infiltrated several user workstations, gaining access to unclassified documents[2]. This attack targeted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Office of Financial Research, along with the office of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. It's no surprise, given OFAC's key role in administering sanctions on Chinese individuals and firms.
But that's not all. The "Salt Typhoon" attack against the American communication and information technology sectors has been particularly concerning. Chinese hackers operating under the auspices of Chinese state intelligence agencies penetrated at least nine US telecommunications and internet service providers, gaining access to the communications of high-ranking US officials, including President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer[2].
And then there's "Volt Typhoon," which has been targeting US critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation, energy, and water treatment plants. In January, the US announced it had dismantled an operation by Volt Typhoon, in which hackers gained control of hundreds of internet routers in the US to be used as launch pads for attacks on critical infrastructure systems[1].
But what's really alarming is the focus on Taiwan. The "Flax Typhoon" attacks have been targeting Taiwan's critical infrastructure, giving China the potential to wreak chaos on the island and hinder US military mobilization in the event of a crisis[2].
So, what's being done to defend against these attacks? The outgoing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a warning to Beijing, stating that "if they actually took a physically destructive cyberattack in the United States – that there would be severe consequences"[4]. The US Department of the Treasury has also sanctioned the Chinese company Integrity Tech for supporting the hacking group Flax Typhoon[4].
Cybersecurity experts like Rob Joyce, former cybersecurity director at the National Security Agency (NSA), are sounding the alarm. "These hacks serve so that they can disrupt our ability to support military activities or to distract us, to get us to focus on a domestic incident at a time when something is flaring up in a different part of the world," he warns[1].
It's clear that China's cyber operations are escalating, and the US needs to be prepared. As FBI Director Christopher Wray and Microsoft have warned, there's a surge in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, such as ports and electric grids[4]. It's time for the US to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses and take a stand against these aggressive cyber operations. That's all for now on Dragon's Code: America Under Cyber Siege. Stay safe, and stay tuned.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
Hey there, I'm Ting, and welcome to Dragon's Code: America Under Cyber Siege. Let's dive right into the latest on Chinese cyber operations targeting US infrastructure.
Over the past few days, we've seen some of the most sophisticated attacks yet. Just last month, the US Treasury Department revealed that hackers linked to Beijing had infiltrated several user workstations, gaining access to unclassified documents[2]. This attack targeted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Office of Financial Research, along with the office of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. It's no surprise, given OFAC's key role in administering sanctions on Chinese individuals and firms.
But that's not all. The "Salt Typhoon" attack against the American communication and information technology sectors has been particularly concerning. Chinese hackers operating under the auspices of Chinese state intelligence agencies penetrated at least nine US telecommunications and internet service providers, gaining access to the communications of high-ranking US officials, including President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer[2].
And then there's "Volt Typhoon," which has been targeting US critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation, energy, and water treatment plants. In January, the US announced it had dismantled an operation by Volt Typhoon, in which hackers gained control of hundreds of internet routers in the US to be used as launch pads for attacks on critical infrastructure systems[1].
But what's really alarming is the focus on Taiwan. The "Flax Typhoon" attacks have been targeting Taiwan's critical infrastructure, giving China the potential to wreak chaos on the island and hinder US military mobilization in the event of a crisis[2].
So, what's being done to defend against these attacks? The outgoing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a warning to Beijing, stating that "if they actually took a physically destructive cyberattack in the United States – that there would be severe consequences"[4]. The US Department of the Treasury has also sanctioned the Chinese company Integrity Tech for supporting the hacking group Flax Typhoon[4].
Cybersecurity experts like Rob Joyce, former cybersecurity director at the National Security Agency (NSA), are sounding the alarm. "These hacks serve so that they can disrupt our ability to support military activities or to distract us, to get us to focus on a domestic incident at a time when something is flaring up in a different part of the world," he warns[1].
It's clear that China's cyber operations are escalating, and the US needs to be prepared. As FBI Director Christopher Wray and Microsoft have warned, there's a surge in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, such as ports and electric grids[4]. It's time for the US to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses and take a stand against these aggressive cyber operations. That's all for now on Dragon's Code: America Under Cyber Siege. Stay safe, and stay tuned.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta