Title: Addressing the Rising Cyber Threats from China: US House Homeland Security Committee Introduces New Legislation
In a move aimed at combatting the increasing cyber threats posed by state-sponsored Chinese actors targeting US critical infrastructure, the US House Homeland Security Committee Republicans have unveiled a groundbreaking new bill.
Introduced by Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) on September 24, the legislation establishes an interagency task force led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI. This task force will specifically focus on countering malicious cyber activity from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including the advanced persistent threats (APTs) like Volt Typhoon that have been infiltrating key sectors such as energy, water, and transportation.
Annual Reporting Requirements
Under the bill, the task force will be mandated to submit a classified report and briefing to Congress annually for the next five years. This report will contain crucial findings, conclusions, and recommendations concerning CCP-affiliated cyber threats. Representative Lee emphasized the necessity of a unified response, highlighting the dangers posed by groups like Volt Typhoon and the risks they pose to national security.
Urgency of Addressing Chinese Cyber Intrusions
Committee Chairman Mark E. Green (R-TN) and Select Committee on the CCP Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) cosponsored the bill, emphasizing the urgency of addressing Chinese cyber intrusions. Green noted the espionage risks and potential for disruptive attacks posed by groups like Volt Typhoon, while also warning of the emergence of a new threat group, Flax Typhoon, which further underscores China’s cyber ambitions.
Cybersecurity experts, including Tom Kellermann, SVP of cyber strategy at Contrast Security, have voiced support for enhanced defenses to counter state-sponsored cyber actors. While a joint task force already exists for this purpose, advocates of the bill argue that the unique and growing threat from China necessitates a specific and coordinated federal response.
This legislation reflects a growing bipartisan concern about Beijing’s infiltration efforts and the potential for escalating cyber conflict, especially in delicate geopolitical contexts like the Indo-Pacific region. By addressing these pressing issues head-on, the US House Homeland Security Committee is taking a vital step towards safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.