Chinese hackers have been accused of compromising the American telecommunications system and engaging in espionage targeting the U.S. presidential campaign. The Voice of America (VOA) has reported that it could take years for U.S. officials to remove the hackers from the network.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI have urged American telecommunications companies and their customers to take additional precautions.
Speaking at a briefing with journalists, Jeff Green, the Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA, stated that they are still unaware of the full extent of what the hackers are doing.
Green said, “We cannot say with confidence that we know everything, nor can our partners.” He added, “We are still trying to understand.”
The breach, which was first disclosed in October, has been attributed to Salt Typhoon. A Chinese-linked cyber gang is suspected of targeting communication networks to spy on both the presidential campaigns of President-elect Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.
China has repeatedly denied the U.S. allegations.
