Chinese Hackers To "Wreak Havoc" On Critical U.S. Infrastructure: FBI

FBI Director Christopher Wray has warned that Chinese hackers are preparing to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm” to the US, as reported by Hannah Rabinowitz and Sean Lyngaas for CNN.

Chinese government-backed hackers, Wray said, are targeting things like water treatment plants, electrical infrastructure, and oil and natural gas pipelines. I Photo: Federal Bureau of Investigation Flickr

“China’s hackers are positioning on US infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to US citizens and communities, if or when China decides the time has come to strike,” Wray told the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

Though cyber officials have long sounded the alarm about China’s offensive cyber capabilities, Wray’s dramatic public warning underlines the huge level of concern at the top of the US government about the threat Chinese hackers pose to critical infrastructure nationwide.

The head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and other senior US officials also testified on Chinese cyber activity in front of the panel Wednesday, as reported by Evan Perez for CNN.

Chinese government-backed hackers, Wray said, are targeting things like water treatment plants, electrical infrastructure, and oil and natural gas pipelines.

The Chinese hackers are working “to find and prepare to destroy or degrade the civilian critical infrastructure that keeps us safe and prosperous,” Wray said. “And let’s be clear: Cyber threats to our critical infrastructure represent real-world threats to our physical safety.”

The Chinese government has previously denied allegations of hacking efforts. Wray said: “China’s promised a lot of things over the years, so I’ll guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”

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