Retired Air Force General Timothy Haugh, the former head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command, has confirmed that hackers sponsored by the Chinese state are actively compromising America’s critical infrastructure. The general made these statements during an appearance at the Columbia University-SIPA Cyber Summit.
“There is no doubt that they have been in our critical infrastructure,” Haugh stated, directly addressing the ongoing cyber threats from China. His confirmation follows a series of public warnings from U.S. intelligence officials about the nature and extent of these intrusions.
Volt Typhoon Group’s Activities
General Haugh specifically mentioned the activities of a hacking group known as Volt Typhoon, which U.S. agencies have linked to China. According to intelligence reports, Volt Typhoon has been active since at least mid-2021. The group has been observed inside networks that control essential services, including water systems, power grids, and port facilities.
The objective of this activity, according to Haugh, is pre-positioning. U.S. officials have reported that Volt Typhoon has targeted a wide range of sectors, including communications, manufacturing, utility, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology, and education.
Official Corroboration and Response
Haugh’s remarks align with previous public statements from other high-ranking officials. FBI Director Christopher Wray has stated that China is developing the “ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing.” Haugh described the hacking as “unacceptable” and noted that a “whole-of-government” approach, in partnership with international allies, is being used to counter the threat.
In response to these types of allegations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has previously denied its involvement in such hacking campaigns, characterizing the claims as “groundless.”
Concise Cyber 