The recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, ”Big Hacks & Big Tech: China’s Cybersecurity Threat”, underscored the alarming reality of Beijing’s relentless cyber offensives against the United States (also see this OODA Network premium content on What To Know And Do About The Largest Telecom Intrusions in History). What once seemed like a futuristic challenge is now a daily and escalating threat to national security, economic stability, and the very foundations of our democratic institutions.

China’s cyber operations have grown into sophisticated campaigns targeting critical infrastructure. The hacking group Volt Typhoon, operating under Beijing’s directives, infiltrated U.S. internet providers, gaining access to systems essential to our national security. This breach is not an isolated event but part of a broader strategy to disrupt and weaken America’s operational capabilities in the event of conflict, as reported by Reuters. The FBI has also documented numerous cases of Chinese state-sponsored hackers infiltrating U.S. telecommunications networks, gaining access to sensitive data that could be exploited in future conflicts or economic warfare (AP News).

The economic impact of China’s cyberattacks is equally alarming. Intellectual property theft by Chinese state actors has siphoned off hundreds of billions of dollars from the U.S. economy annually. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, these actions have fueled Beijing’s advancements in sectors like artificial intelligence and biotechnology. By relying on stolen American innovations, Chinese firms gain an unfair competitive edge, undermining U.S. companies’ ability to innovate and grow.

China’s activities also extend into military and defense sectors. In one of the most brazen examples, Chinese hackers infiltrated contractor networks supporting the U.S. Navy, stealing sensitive information about submarine technology, missile systems, and radar advancements. A report by NBC News described this as part of a larger campaign to erode American military superiority while bolstering Beijing’s own capabilities. These intrusions illustrate how Chinese cyber operations are not limited to economic sabotage but are directly aimed at weakening America’s defense posture.

The consequences of these attacks go beyond immediate breaches. Secondary effects, such as the erosion of public trust in critical systems, have profound implications. If financial or energy infrastructure were compromised, the cascading effects on economic stability and national morale would be catastrophic. Tertiary effects, such as the manipulation of stolen data, could be used to influence elections or sow discord within the U.S., posing a direct threat to the nation’s democratic institutions.

Addressing this escalating danger requires a decisive and multi-pronged approach. Strengthening cyber defenses across government agencies and the private sector is essential. Technologies like artificial intelligence-driven threat detection systems must be widely deployed to detect and neutralize sophisticated cyber intrusions. Equally critical is fostering public-private partnerships that enable real-time sharing of threat intelligence between government entities and industries managing critical infrastructure.

Regulatory accountability must also be prioritized. Congress should enact laws requiring companies to disclose breaches promptly and adhere to strict cybersecurity standards. Negligence in protecting sensitive data should carry steep penalties, incentivizing businesses to make security a top priority. In industries like telecommunications and energy, greater oversight is necessary to ensure that vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure are identified and mitigated before adversaries can exploit them.

Reducing dependency on China in critical sectors remains a national security imperative. The Trump and Biden administration laid the groundwork by encouraging domestic production of semiconductors and rare earth materials, key components of modern technology. These efforts must be expanded to ensure that industries like telecommunications, energy, and defense are not reliant on Beijing-controlled supply chains. Decoupling from China in these areas would reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen America’s self-sufficiency.

International collaboration is also vital. The United States must lead a coalition of allies to counter Beijing’s cyber aggression. NATO’s cyber defense initiatives offer a valuable template for building collective resilience. Expanding these efforts through alliances like the Quad and the Five Eyes intelligence network would enhance global readiness and deterrence against Chinese cyber threats.

Finally, educating the public and private sectors on best practices for cybersecurity is critical. Simple measures, like implementing robust firewalls and two-factor authentication, can go a long way in reducing vulnerabilities. Public awareness campaigns should highlight the risks posed by Chinese cyber activities, emphasizing the importance of vigilance at every level.

China’s cyber threat is not a distant or abstract menace—it is an immediate and present danger embedded within our digital infrastructure, economy, and society. The Senate’s recent hearing clarified the stakes: America must act now. Without holding businesses accountable, fortifying defenses, and reclaiming independence in critical sectors, the U.S. risks allowing Beijing to dictate the terms of this silent conflict. If America’s adversaries can compromise the integrity of its systems, the consequences will be nothing short of catastrophic. It’s time to meet this challenge head-on, with the urgency and resolve it demands.