China-linked hackers successfully conducted cyberattacks targeting federal agencies and critical U.S. infrastructure under the watchful eye of the Biden administration, highlighting critical vulnerabilities that could be exploited with dire consequences. did.

Since early 2023, Chinese-linked cybercriminals have successfully targeted federal employees and agencies, telecommunications companies, and public infrastructure, with critical systems originating from the Chinese government or It has been shown to be vulnerable to Chinese government-sponsored cyberattacks. Given the threat from China, American officials must wake up to this threat. declared interest Cybersecurity experts who spoke with the Daily Caller News Foundation said the issue is likely to be of greater concern to governing Taiwan, especially since the problem is likely far more prevalent than the public realizes. It is said to be expensive.

“This is really serious, but people don’t realize the magnitude of the potential damage. Almost every system we use today – hospitals, medical systems, automobiles, utilities – has some type of “Anything that is digital and has computers embedded in it can be compromised if it is compromised by hacking.” cybersecurity expert Joseph Steinberg told DCNF. “There is no question that the Biden administration did not take this issue as seriously as it should have.” (Related article: “Delete America Approach”: Pentagon officials condemn China’s continued cyber-espionage allegations)

Biden: “If we ever get into a war, a real firefight, with a great power, it’s going to happen as a result of a cyber breach.” pic.twitter.com/wsCvmMLU1N

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 27, 2021

Steinberg said the U.S.’s dependence on cheap Chinese high-tech products also poses major vulnerabilities, and that the Biden administration’s policies aimed at increasing U.S. self-sufficiency, including the CHIPS Act of 2022, will , added that it has largely failed because it has been too diluted by political policy. Motivated provisions to achieve goals effectively.

At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Finance, an institution involved in determining policies directly related to China’s interests, will disclosed The Washington Post reports that Chinese-linked hackers successfully infiltrated the system. report The perpetrators reportedly gained access to an office that handles economic sanctions. The breach comes on the heels of news of a massive China-linked hack of at least nine major U.S. telecommunications companies and revelations of a 2023 breach that targeted the emails of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and State Department officials. I was disappointed.

However, Raimondo continued to visit China for talks with Chinese officials even after the email hacking attack, and during his trip he told the other party that the breach had damaged his trust in Chinese officials. reportedly spoke. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called A diplomatic trip to Beijing was planned after a Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States in early 2023.

Beyond their proven ability to infiltrate telecommunications and government systems, China-linked cybercriminals also have the ability to shut down many major U.S. ports and parts of the power grid, national security officials say. aide Jake Sullivan reportedly told President Joe Biden in 2023. According to In the Wall Street Journal. The Biden administration also issued a warning in May 2024 warning water and wastewater companies to harden systems vulnerable to hacking groups linked to or based in hostile countries, including China. The number of incidents related to this system is increasing.

Large-scale attacks on U.S. infrastructure by Chinese hackers are believed to have begun as early as 2019, if not earlier, and some U.S. officials believe some of the intrusions were due to U.S. They believe it is aimed at breaching supply lines and disrupting the U.S. response to a possible attack by China. According to WSJ, Taiwan. Some specific incidents include access to local airport systems and California’s electric utility companies, the latter of which are being investigated to see how they can respond to the crisis.

“The only silver lining to all of this is that we’re starting to spot these kinds of large-scale computer network exploits and attacks before they happen,” said Frank Silphy, director of the McCray Institute for Cyber ​​and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University. I think that’s the case,” he said. DCNF. “Honestly, I think we’re at a very early stage in our ability to assess and assess the severity and how important the consequences are. My gut feeling is that even if we see the tip of the iceberg, it’s probably much more. It tells me it’s going to be deep.”

Previously, Chinese cyber attackers were thought to be a bit sloppy at their jobs and primarily interested in stealing U.S. trade secrets, but new evidence suggests that China is infiltrating critical infrastructure and cyber systems. The structure has shocked some U.S. officials and lawmakers briefed on the issue. , according to WSJ.

“This problem is alarmingly pervasive. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has confirmed that Chinese hackers have already penetrated key parts of our nation’s power grid and utilities.” policy analyst Miles Pollard told DCNF. “This not only puts our nation’s infrastructure at risk, but also gives China leverage in geopolitical and economic conflicts. Their ability to persist for months or even years is a less obvious but more sinister threat, allowing them to strategically sabotage or pre-empt our response in the event of a crisis. It may become possible to collect long-term information to ”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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