Salt Typhoon Hackers Target U.S. Infrastructure, Telecoms; FCC Weighs New Regulations

Jan 5, 2025, 08:58 PM

Chinese hackers, reportedly linked to Beijing's intelligence, have infiltrated critical U.S. infrastructure, including ports, power grids, and telecommunications networks. According to reports, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned telecommunications and technology executives during a secret White House meeting in late 2023 that these hackers had gained the ability to disrupt dozens of U.S. infrastructure targets at will. The Biden White House acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing the attackers as increasingly sophisticated. The telecom industry itself was revealed to be deeply compromised, with significant intrusions leading to erased logs and inadequate tracking. The cyberattacks, referred to as 'Salt Typhoon,' are considered one of the most severe cybersecurity breaches in U.S. history. Federal officials have stated that no networks have fully removed the threat, and the attacks remain ongoing. Experts have called for a unified response between government and industry to address these vulnerabilities and prevent future incidents. The FCC has proposed new regulations, while Sen. Ted Cruz has urged caution against rushing such measures. Federal officials have recommended the use of encrypted messaging platforms to mitigate risks.