The U.S. government is set to provide a classified briefing to the House of Representatives regarding China’s alleged cyber espionage campaign, codenamed “Salt Typhoon.” This campaign, believed to be conducted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, targeted U.S. telecommunications companies and compromised sensitive data, including call records.
The briefing, scheduled for Tuesday, will involve representatives from the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Security Council, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This follows a similar closed-door briefing for senators last week.
The White House has previously confirmed that the cyberattack affected at least eight U.S. telecommunications companies, potentially exposing the metadata of a significant number of American citizens. While the Chinese government has denied these allegations, concerns are growing about the scale and sophistication of the cyber espionage campaign.
Senator Ron Wyden has expressed his intention to introduce legislation addressing the issue, while Senator Bob Casey has voiced concerns about the potential impact on national security. Both senators have emphasized the need for swift action to protect critical infrastructure and safeguard sensitive information.
The Senate Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on Wednesday to further discuss the Salt Typhoon threat and explore best practices for securing communications networks. Industry experts, including Tim Donovan, CEO of the Competitive Carriers Association, are expected to testify.
The cyberattack underscores the ongoing threat posed by state-sponsored hacking groups and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information. As investigations continue, it remains to be seen what steps the U.S. government will take to mitigate future risks and hold the perpetrators accountable.