The National Security Agency (NSA), alongside other government agencies and companies, is investigating reports that Chinese hackers may have targeted U.S. telecommunications companies. This investigation is in its early stages, and it is unclear which specific firms were targeted, according to NSA Director General Timothy Haugh.
The inquiry comes amid rising concerns about the vulnerability of telecommunications infrastructure, which the NSA warned about in a 2022 advisory. The advisory highlighted that Chinese hackers were exploiting weaknesses in devices to access critical users and systems.
Cyber officials have suggested that China’s objective may be to disrupt U.S. critical infrastructure—including electricity and water—during any future crisis, potentially hindering a U.S. military response.
The ongoing investigation follows reports in September of a hacking campaign, Salt Typhoon, that infiltrated American internet service providers and gained access to sensitive data within broadband networks.
The investigation is part of a broader concern over increasing cyberattacks targeting U.S. infrastructure, with the healthcare sector facing a significant rise in attacks over the past year. The NSA has called on various companies to assess and address potential intrusions to safeguard critical infrastructure.