https://broadbandbreakfast.com/at-t-verizon-and-lumen-in-hot-seat-after-china-cyberattack/
"The attack appears to be geared towards intelligence collection, and Chinese hackers potentially accessed vulnerable information including court-authorized network wiretapping requests and internet traffic. This is extremely alarming for both economic and national security reasons," the lawmakers said in Oct. 10 letters to the executives that were released Friday.
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I really suspect insiders on this one. Businesses like VZ spend so much on protecting the perimeter yet we hire questionable foreign nationals. I don’t get it. It’s like if Back in 1940 American companies were packed with German speaking employees.
"This is bound to happen. If jobs are going offshore so is information, access and secrets.
I just cannot imagine how and why it is necessary for such important utility (telecommunications) companies of America need to offshore anything.We are putting our security, privacy and ton of key information at RISK."
Maybe that's the goal...
@1tfq...No business decisions are made sensibly these days...It's all about profit and stock price.
This is bound to happen. If jobs are going offshore so is information, access and secrets.
I just cannot imagine how and why it is necessary for such important utility (telecommunications) companies of America need to offshore anything.We are putting our security, privacy and ton of key information at RISK.
CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS, WASHINGTON
CHAIR
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
FRANK PALLONE, JR., NEW JERSEY
RANKING MEMBER
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
2125 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6115
October 10, 2024
Mr. Hans Vestberg
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Verizon Wireless
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. Vestberg,
We are concerned by the recent reports of a massive breach of AT&T, Verizon, and
Lumen’s communications networks by Chinese hackers.1 These types of breaches are increasing in frequency and severity, and there is a growing concern regarding the cybersecurity vulnerabilities embedded in U.S. telecommunications networks. The Committee needs to understand better how this incident occurred and what steps your company is taking to prevent future service disruptions and secure your customers’ data.
On October 5th, The Wall Street Journal reported U.S. broadband providers were
breached by a Chinese government-tied hacker organization.2 The attack appears to be geared towards intelligence collection, and Chinese hackers potentially accessed vulnerable information including court-authorized network wiretapping requests and internet traffic.3 A person familiar with the attack said “the U.S. government considered the intrusions to be historically significant and worrisome.”4 This is extremely alarming for both economic and national security reasons.
In an age where Americans rely heavily on your services for communication and
connectivity, the integrity of your networks is paramount. It is vital that cybersecurity protocols are enhanced to better protect American’s data against increasingly sophisticated attacks especially from our foreign adversaries.
1China hacked major U.S. telecom firms in apparent counterspy operation, The Washington Post (Oct. 6, 2024),
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/10/06/salt-typhoon-china-espionage-telecom/
2U.S. Wiretap Systems Targeted in China-Linked Hack, The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 5, 2024),
https://www.wsj.com/tech/cybersecurity/u-s-wiretap-systems-targeted-in-china-linked-hack-327fc63b
Mr. Hans Vestberg
Page 2
We therefore request a briefing before October 18, 2024, to understand how these
breaches occurred and what steps your company has taken to fortify the security of your
network. We also request the following information by October 18, 2024:
- When and how did Verizon Wireless become aware that its network had been breached?
- What law enforcement entities, if any, did Verizon Wireless contact upon learning that
the breach occurred?
- What steps has Verizon Wireless taken to notify customers of the breach and what is
Verizon Wireless doing to assist customers whose data has been compromised?
- Has Verizon Wireless conducted thorough investigations to identify vulnerabilities in its network and implement corrective measures?
- What steps has Verizon Wireless taken to address security vulnerabilities since each
breach?
- What information was the hacker able to acquire as a result of this breach?
- What legislative actions should Congress take to assist Verizon Wireless in protecting
your networks and your customers’ data?
- Are there any other issues or sensitivities the Committee should be aware of with respect
to this incident?
Please contact the Committee Majority staff at (202) 225-3641 to schedule the briefing.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
________________________
Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Chair House Energy and Commerce Committee
______________________________
Frank Pallone
Ranking Member House Energy and Commerce