May 7, 2024 at 07:09AM
FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Congress about foreign cyber-agents pre-positioned in US critical infrastructure networks, emphasizing the potential for Chinese hackers to cause real harm. He urged a wake-up call for organizations managing America’s infrastructure to prioritize cybersecurity, as previous warnings have gone unheeded. The urgency to act now to improve cyber readiness and resilience is imperative.
From the meeting notes:
– FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, highlighting the threat of foreign adversarial cyber-agents pre-positioned in U.S. critical infrastructure networks and their potential to cause real-world harm.
– The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021 sparked concern over infrastructure vulnerabilities and prompted warnings from government officials about the imminent risk of cyberattacks.
– The U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission and recent testimony by CISA Director Jen Easterly and Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Gen. Paul Nakasone emphasized the urgency of addressing cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure.
– The need for complete visibility across complex and heterogeneous networks to effectively manage cybersecurity risk was stressed, with a reference to CISA’s Binding Operational Directive 23-01.
– The target scope of critical infrastructure extends beyond traditional sectors to include a wide range of organizations posing potential risks if taken offline.
– Despite challenges posed by older IT and operational technologies, there are tools and strategies available to enhance cyber-resiliency and improve security posture.
Overall, the meeting notes underscore the importance of taking immediate action to address cybersecurity threats facing critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for improved visibility, risk assessment, and protection measures.