Beijing has been intensifying its efforts to gain access to critical infrastructure in the United States, as revealed by General Timothy D. Haugh, director of the National Security Agency. According to Haugh, China’s cyber attacks have increased, prompting the US to work harder to disrupt that activity.
Last year, US officials discovered China’s attempts to access critical infrastructure on Guam and in the continental United States through a campaign known as Volt Typhoon. The effort involved Chinese hackers using stealthier techniques to break into systems like wastewater and communication networks. Haugh emphasized that China was establishing access to potentially threaten these systems before a direct confrontation between the two countries. This move could cause chaos and slow the response time to a crisis in the Pacific region or Taiwan.
Haugh described China as an urgent military threat, highlighting its increasing sophistication in cyber capabilities and its campaign to expand its global dominance. He also mentioned Beijing’s efforts to develop a modernized force by 2027, which could be used against Taiwan. Haugh stressed the importance of confronting China below the level of armed conflict, particularly in the cyber realm.
While Haugh did not discuss specific Cyber Command operations inside China, he mentioned the military’s efforts to disrupt attacks against the US and prevent malware and ransomware from spreading. He emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to confront China’s deliberate campaigns aimed at gaining advantage across all aspects of national power. Haugh warned that if left unchecked, China has the desire and ability to become a peer on the world stage, posing a real threat to US national security.
In summary, General Timothy D. Haugh revealed that Beijing is intensifying its efforts to gain access to critical infrastructure in the United States, with potential threats being directed at military bases near Guam and in continental United States. The military is working hard to disrupt such activities while also preventing malware and ransomware from spreading through their campaigns aimed at gaining advantage across all aspects of national power.