Committee on Armed Services United State

Foreign Cyber Threats to the United States Committee on Armed Services United State

Every American should be alarmed by Russia's attacks on our Nation. There is no national security interest more vital to the United States of America than the ability to hold free and fair elections without foreign interference. That is why Congress must set partisanship aside, follow the facts, and work together to devise comprehensive solutions to deter, defend against and, when necessary, respond to foreign cyber attacks. As we do, we must recognize that the recent Russian attacks are one part of a much bigger cyber problem. Russian cyber attacks have targeted the White House, the Joint Staff, the State Department, our critical infrastructure. Chinese cyber attacks have reportedly targeted NASA, the Departments of State and Commerce, congressional offices, military labs, the Naval War College, and United States businesses, including major defense contractors. Most recently, China compromised over 20 million background investigations at the Office of Personnel Management. Iran has used cyber tools in recent years to attack the United States Navy, United States partners in the Middle East, major financial institutions, and a dam just 25 miles north of New York City. Of course, North Korea was responsible for the massive cyber attack on Sony Pictures in 2014. What seems clear is that our adversaries have reached a common conclusion: that the reward for attacking America in cyberspace outweighs the risk.