Rep. Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser, emphasized the need for the United States to take a more proactive approach against foreign adversaries. In a recent interview, Waltz stressed that the U.S. should shift from a defensive stance to an offensive cyber strategy, with the support of American tech firms.
“We need to start altering the behavior of foreign actors instead of simply reacting to their offenses,” Waltz said on CBS’s Face the Nation. He noted that President-elect Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio, the designated secretary of state, share the goal of imposing costs on foreign actors to deter further cyber aggression.
Chinese cyber threats have been consistently highlighted by U.S. officials, particularly in relation to the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement in numerous cyberattacks. Waltz pointed to significant incidents like ransomware attacks and the Volt Typhoon campaign, where Chinese state-sponsored hackers accessed critical infrastructure, including energy grids and water systems. These campaigns, including the Salt Typhoon attack on U.S. telecom networks, demonstrate ongoing vulnerabilities.
Waltz emphasized that the U.S. must not only strengthen its defenses but also apply real consequences to deter future attacks. “It’s time to go on the offensive, imposing higher costs on our adversaries,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of the private sector’s role in cybersecurity, noting that American tech companies can assist in defending the nation and making adversaries more vulnerable.
Experts have echoed these concerns, pointing out that the U.S. has yet to take significant action against foreign cyber aggressors. During a Senate hearing on Chinese cyber espionage, experts discussed the lack of repercussions for such attacks. FBI Director Christopher Wray, who previously warned about the Volt Typhoon campaign, testified that although the FBI had removed the malware, Chinese hackers remain poised to inflict damage. He also highlighted the significant disparity between the FBI's resources and China's cyber capabilities, with Chinese actors outnumbering the FBI by 50 to one.
Moreover, intelligence agencies and private companies have noted that Chinese state-backed cyber campaigns often target both U.S. governmental and civilian entities. In response, the State Department recently offered a $10 million reward for information on individuals involved in cyber activities against U.S. infrastructure under foreign government direction.