Following a significant Chinese-backed hack of eight U.S. telecommunications providers, Rep. Michael Waltz emphasized the necessity for ‘higher costs and consequences’ for those who steal Americans’ data.
The Call for Stronger Measures
Rep. Waltz, set to become President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser, expressed his concerns on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation,’ advocating for a shift from defense to offense against cyber threats.
The recent breaches by a Chinese-backed group, Salt Typhoon, targeted high-profile individuals like Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, raising concerns about the security of Americans’ data.
Addressing the Threat
While refraining from discussing specific sanctions, Rep. Waltz highlighted the urgent need for a more aggressive approach to deter cyber espionage and data theft by both private and state actors.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the severity of the attacks, prompting the establishment of a dedicated team at the White House to counter the threat.
Despite these efforts, the hackers remain entrenched in the networks of U.S. telecommunications companies, posing ongoing risks to communication security.
Ensuring National Security
Anne Neuberger, the White House’s deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, underscored the broad reach of the Chinese intrusion, potentially compromising communications of ordinary Americans.
As the cyber threat landscape evolves, the imperative for proactive measures to safeguard critical data and infrastructure grows more pressing.
