New Approach to Cybersecurity Under Trump Administration
WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, selected by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for National Security Adviser, highlighted the need for the U.S. to take stronger actions in response to cyber attacks. In a statement made on Sunday, Waltz said the U.S. must impose higher costs on private actors and hostile nations responsible for cyber espionage. This comes after recent allegations that China was behind a large-scale cyber espionage campaign, Salt Typhoon, which compromised sensitive American political communications.
Salt Typhoon: Chinese Cyber Espionage Campaign
The U.S. government revealed that at least eight major telecommunications and infrastructure companies were targeted in the Salt Typhoon attack, resulting in the theft of substantial amounts of metadata belonging to American citizens. Although Waltz did not provide specific plans for the Trump administration’s response, he emphasized the importance of moving beyond a solely defensive stance in U.S. cybersecurity efforts.
Shifting to Offensive Cybersecurity Tactics
In his interview with Face the Nation, Waltz called for a shift towards offensive measures to combat cyber espionage. He argued that the U.S. must “impose higher costs and consequences” on those responsible for stealing data and spying on the nation. Waltz stressed that this proactive strategy should involve both governmental and private sector collaboration.
Role of U.S. Technology Industry in National Security
Waltz also noted that U.S. technology companies could play a crucial role in not only bolstering the nation’s cyber defenses but also making adversaries vulnerable to countermeasures. This growing collaboration between the government and the tech sector is expected to be a key element in future national security strategies.
China’s Denial of Allegations
In response to the U.S. accusations, Chinese officials have firmly denied the charges, labeling them as misinformation. They reiterated China’s stance against cyber attacks and theft, asserting that they oppose such activities in all forms.
Source: Reuters
