By Steve Neavling
FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Thursday that Chinese hackers are waiting “for just the right moment to deal a devastating blow” to U.S. critical infrastructure.
China is developing the “ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing,” Wray said at the 2024 Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats, Reuters reports. “Its plan is to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic.”
Volt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking group, has gained access to American companies in critical sectors such as energy and water.
The intent of the preparation isn’t yet known, but Wray said it was linked to China’s broader goal of stopping the U.S. from defending Taiwan.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Volt Typhoon was not part of China’s government, but rather is a criminal ransomware group.
