Chinese hackers breach US security, target electricity and water systems

US government officials and cybersecurity experts have warned that Chinese forces are reportedly attempting to infiltrate the United States’ critical infrastructure, including power and water utilities, communications and transportation systems. According to a report by the Washington Post, hacking groups linked to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have breached the computer systems of nearly two dozen important institutions over the past year.

U.S. government and industry officials said the incursion is part of a broader effort to create ways to spread panic and chaos or disrupt logistics in the event of a U.S.-China conflict in the Pacific. The outlet further said that some of the services attacked by Chinese hackers include a water utility in Hawaii, a major West Coast port, and at least one oil and gas pipeline. The Washington Post said hackers also attempted to break into Texas’ power grid operator, which operates independently of electrical systems in the rest of the country.

Other entities that have been attacked by hackers outside the United States include electric utilities. According to US officials, none of the intrusions affected industrial control systems that operate pumps, pistons or any critical functions, or caused any disruption.