Chinese Cyberthreats Target US Critical Infrastructure, Unleashing Societal Chaos, China

Addressing the vulnerability of US infrastructure to Chinese cyberattacks is a complex task due to the involvement of private companies in critical infrastructure. Currently, 85% of America’s critical infrastructure is operated by the private sector, which means that they are responsible for their cybersecurity. Unlike other countries that use legislative measures to enforce cybersecurity standards, the US tends to incentivize compliance. Senate bill 2251, introduced last summer, aims to modernize cybersecurity efforts but only applies to federal agencies, leaving private enterprise as a separate matter. Cybersecurity experts highlight the real threat posed by Chinese hackers, particularly given the increasing reliance on automated systems in critical infrastructure. As these systems become more computer-dependent and less reliant on human operation, their vulnerability to cyberattacks increases. One potential scenario that concerns experts is a widespread cyberattack that disrupts credit card transactions, renders the internet useless, and brings society to a halt.