In a recent advisory, Microsoft has called upon critical infrastructure companies operating in the United States to enhance their cyber defenses in order to safeguard communication infrastructure from potential disruptions. The announcement highlights a significant conspiracy aimed at severing communication channels between the Biden administration and Asia.
Previously, a threat alert had been issued regarding an imminent attack on undersea communication lines. However, the focus has now expanded to encompass wireless communication infrastructure, including towers and satellites.
Microsoft has identified Volt Typhoon, a threat group originating from China, as the responsible party behind these incidents. The tech giant believes that this group, active since mid-2021, has been exploiting vulnerabilities in the FortiGuard threat intelligence platform.
Adding to the concerns, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance has also issued an alert regarding a stealth surveillance campaign backed by China. The campaign reportedly exploits built-in Windows tools on compromised hosts. In response to this alert, the Australian Signal Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has urged officials responsible for critical infrastructure to assess their cybersecurity preparedness against state-sponsored digital attacks and implement necessary measures to mitigate potential risks.
It is important to note that while Western nations often attribute such incidents to countries like China and Russia, they remain relatively silent about their own surveillance campaigns. Notably, the Pentagon launched a surveillance campaign in 2012, which has received limited attention. Although Edward Snowden raised concerns about it in 2013, the then-president downplayed the allegations, citing national security as the primary objective.
