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US Responds to Chinese-Linked Cyber Attacks on Telecoms Firms

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The United States has taken action in response to Chinese-linked cyber-espionage operations targeting U.S. telecom firms, as confirmed by U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday. Telecom giants AT&T and Verizon disclosed late last year that their networks had been breached by cyber attackers, although both companies have since secured their systems after collaborating with the U.S. government and law enforcement agencies.

Sullivan highlighted the U.S. government’s efforts to address the ongoing threat, mentioning specific cyber operations like “Salt Typhoon” and “Volt Typhoon.” He emphasized that the U.S. has conveyed a clear message to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) regarding the consequences of further actions that could jeopardize American critical infrastructure, underscoring that the U.S. is prepared to respond accordingly.

 

AT&T and Verizon Acknowledge Salt Typhoon Cyberespionage, Networks Secured

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AT&T and Verizon confirmed on Saturday that their systems were targeted by Salt Typhoon, a Chinese-linked cyberespionage operation, but assured the public that their U.S. networks are now secure. Both companies are collaborating with law enforcement and government agencies to assess and mitigate any remaining risks.

An AT&T spokesperson stated, “We detect no activity by nation-state actors in our networks at this time.” They added that the People’s Republic of China targeted a small group of individuals with foreign intelligence value. While only limited information was compromised, AT&T continues to monitor and remediate its networks to safeguard customer data.

Verizon, in its statement, reported similar containment efforts. Chief Legal Officer Craig Silliman said, “We have not detected threat actor activity in Verizon’s network for some time, and after considerable work addressing this incident, we can report that Verizon has contained the activities associated with this particular incident.” The containment has been independently verified by a respected cybersecurity firm.

The U.S. Department of Defense and Federal Communications Commission have not commented on the incident. However, on Friday, officials added a ninth unnamed telecom company to the list of victims. Hackers affiliated with Salt Typhoon allegedly gained extensive access to telecom networks, enabling them to geolocate millions of individuals and intercept phone calls at will.

Chinese officials have dismissed such allegations as disinformation, maintaining that Beijing opposes cyberattacks in all forms. Previous reports linked the Salt Typhoon operation to theft of telephone audio intercepts and call record data from companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) responded to the breach on Dec. 18 by recommending that senior government and political figures transition to end-to-end encrypted communication apps. High-profile targets of Salt Typhoon reportedly included individuals associated with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump’s campaigns.

Lawmakers expressed bipartisan concern over the severity of the breach. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) described it as “the largest telecommunications hack in our nation’s history,” while Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) emphasized the urgent need to address vulnerabilities in the nation’s communications networks.

The Salt Typhoon hack has raised alarm over the scale and impact of Chinese cyberattacks on U.S. telecommunications. Both companies and government agencies face mounting pressure to assure the public about the security of the nation’s critical communication infrastructure.

U.S. Adds Ninth Telecom to Chinese-Linked Salt Typhoon Cyberespionage Campaign

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The U.S. government has identified a ninth telecommunications company as a victim of the sweeping Chinese-backed cyberespionage operation known as Salt Typhoon, according to Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Neuberger confirmed the addition after guidance was shared with organizations on how to detect and defend against the ongoing threat.

Previous reports have linked the Salt Typhoon campaign to breaches at major telecom companies, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen, among others. The cyberespionage operation has reportedly targeted U.S. government officials, political figures, and campaigns, including those of President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an advisory on December 18, urging senior government officials to transition mobile communications to end-to-end encrypted applications to mitigate the risks. Officials have revealed that “a large number of Americans’ metadata was taken” as part of the campaign.

Senator Ben Ray Luján described Salt Typhoon as the “largest telecommunications hack in our nation’s history” during a Senate hearing on December 11, while Senator Ted Cruz emphasized the urgent need to address vulnerabilities in U.S. communications networks.

Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced on December 5 that the agency is proposing new regulations requiring telecom carriers to enhance network security in light of the Salt Typhoon revelations.

Neuberger detailed the extensive capabilities of the hackers, noting that they gained “broad and full access” to telecommunications networks. This access enabled them to “geolocate millions of individuals” and even “record phone calls at will.” She highlighted that updated FCC rules could help prevent similar large-scale intrusions in the future.

Chinese officials have denied the allegations, calling them disinformation and asserting that Beijing “firmly opposes and combats cyberattacks and cyber theft in all forms.”

As the investigation unfolds, cybersecurity experts and lawmakers are intensifying efforts to secure U.S. communications networks against future threats of this magnitude.