During a security conference at Vanderbilt University, General Timothy D. Haugh, the director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Cyber Command of the US military, warned about China’s increasing efforts to gain access to critical infrastructure in the United States. Haugh stated that China was intensifying its cyber activities, while the US was working harder to disrupt these activities. In the past year, US officials uncovered China’s attempt to gain access to critical infrastructure in Guam and the continental US, with tactics dubbed Volt Typhoon.
Haugh explained that China’s goal was to establish access to critical networks, potentially to threaten them in times of conflict. This strategy was seen as part of China’s broader campaign to expand its global influence and increase its military capabilities. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was highlighted as having a strong presence in cyberspace and was working on developing strike capabilities within critical infrastructure.
The director emphasized that China was a significant military threat and was rapidly advancing its cyber capabilities. He also mentioned that China was aggressively pursuing dominance on the world stage through cutting-edge technologies and cyber operations. Furthermore, Haugh stressed the importance of defending US networks against cyberattacks and disrupting malicious activities.
While Haugh did not provide specific details on Cyber Command’s operations inside China, he emphasized the need to confront China in the cyber realm below the level of armed conflict. He also highlighted the asymmetric nature of the cyber warfare environment, where China could target US networks more easily compared to the restricted access US forces had in China.
Overall, Haugh’s warnings underscored the growing challenges posed by China’s cyber activities and the importance of countering such threats before they escalate into a larger conflict. As tensions between the US and China continue to escalate, cybersecurity and defending critical infrastructure have become critical priorities for national security.