3 December 2024

Chinese hackers are mobilizing, U.S. official says


A top U.S. cybersecurity official says Chinese-linked hackers are preparing for a major conflict with the United States.

Morgan Adamski, executive director of U.S. Cyber Command within the Dept. of Defense, said Friday at an industry conference that the hackers have gained access to critical information technology networks in anticipation of launching disruptive attacks in the event of conflict between the two nations.

The hackers could manipulate HVAC systems in server rooms or disrupt power and water to datacenters.

Federal agencies are, of course, working with potential targets to mitigate the issue. Adamski said the U.S. government is “laser-focused on degrading and disrupting PRC cyber operations worldwide." China, for its part, officially denies operations targeting the U.S.

One of the most prominent such operations was the so-called Salt Typhoon attack, which this year breached several U.S. telecom companies to steal call records, obtain law enforcement request information, and listen to communications working for both U.S. presidential candidates during the past election.

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