FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a grave warning on Wednesday about the growing threat posed by Chinese hackers to the United States. Speaking before the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Wray confirmed that Chinese-backed hackers are actively positioning themselves to disrupt critical infrastructure in the U.S., potentially causing “real-world harm” to American citizens.
Wray’s statement emphasized the ongoing cyber threat to key sectors such as water treatment plants, electrical grids, and oil and natural gas pipelines. These sectors form the backbone of U.S. infrastructure, and attacks could lead to catastrophic consequences, affecting safety and national security.
“The Chinese hackers are targeting civilian critical infrastructure to degrade or destroy it,” Wray said, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. This threat is not just theoretical; it could have immediate, tangible effects on the physical safety of Americans.
The issue has gained heightened attention after Chinese cyber actors have reportedly exploited basic vulnerabilities in U.S. technology. Jen Easterly, head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, warned that the technology supporting critical infrastructure is insecure due to years of inadequate oversight and the prioritization of speed and features over security.
Despite previous assurances from China that it would refrain from interfering in U.S. affairs, including the 2024 elections, Wray remains skeptical, suggesting that China’s promises should be taken with caution. The FBI and Justice Department have been working to mitigate the threat by removing malicious code from U.S. networks and securing vulnerable devices, but officials warn that the hackers are deeply embedded within U.S. infrastructure.
Gen. Paul Nakasone, head of the National Security Agency, noted that this is a persistent and ongoing threat that requires constant vigilance. The FBI continues to grapple with the scale of the problem, with Chinese operatives believed to outnumber FBI agents by at least 50 to 1.
The concern is that the Chinese hackers’ presence in critical infrastructure could potentially hinder a U.S. military response in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. As the situation develops, U.S. officials are facing a serious challenge in safeguarding the nation’s most vital systems from a sustained cyber assault.
