House Homeland Security Committee Republicans [1] [2] [4], led by Representative Laurel Lee [2], have introduced legislation to establish an interagency task force to counter Chinese cyber threats, focusing on hacking collectives like Volt Typhoon and Flax Typhoon [3].
Description
The bill [1] [2] [4], titled the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act,” creates a task force chaired by the CISA director and deputy-chaired by the FBI director. This task force will assess cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure and provide recommendations to address them [3]. Reports will be submitted periodically over the next five years [3], with some assessments classified [3].
Committee members [1], including Chairman Mark E Green and Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar [2] [4], stress the urgency of addressing Chinese cyber intrusions and highlight the risks posed by groups like Volt Typhoon and Flax Typhoon [1]. Representative Lee emphasizes the need for a coordinated response to CCP cyber threats [2] [4], while Chairman Green expresses concern over the undetected presence of Volt Typhoon in networks and the potential for CCP manipulation of crucial services [2]. Chairman Moolenaar underscores the importance of protecting the American people from state-affiliated Chinese hackers like Volt Typhoon [2].
Cybersecurity experts support enhanced defenses but argue that a specific federal response is needed to combat the unique and growing threat from China [1]. The legislation aims to address the growing threat posed by CCP cyber activity and ensure a focused [2], coordinated response to safeguard critical infrastructure [2]. It reflects a bipartisan effort to combat malicious cyber actors and protect national security interests in the face of escalating cyber threats from China [2].
Conclusion
The legislation introduced by the House Homeland Security Committee Republicans is a crucial step in addressing the increasing threat of Chinese cyber intrusions. By establishing an interagency task force and providing recommendations to safeguard critical infrastructure, the bill aims to enhance defenses against hacking collectives like Volt Typhoon and Flax Typhoon. This bipartisan effort underscores the importance of protecting national security interests and highlights the need for a coordinated response to combat malicious cyber actors.
References
[1] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/us-house-bill-chinese-cyber/
[2] https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-laurel-lee-introduce-bill-combat-ccp-cyber-threat-actors
[3] https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2024/09/house-bill-pitches-interagency-task-force-counter-chinese-hacking-threats/399765/
[4] https://homeland.house.gov/2024/09/24/house-homeland-security-republicans-introduce-bill-to-combat-ccp-cyber-threat-actors/
