NSA Investigates Chinese Hack Targeting Major U.S. Telecom Firms
The National Security Agency (NSA) has launched an investigation into an alleged cyberattack by Chinese hackers that compromised the systems of three major U.S. telecommunications companies—AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. According to NSA Director Gen. Timothy Haugh, the investigation is still in its early stages, and it is “premature” to share specific details.
Speaking at a security conference hosted by The Cipher Brief, Haugh stressed the importance of collaboration between government agencies and private companies to fully assess the breach. “We are working closely with partners to understand what happened,” he told reporters, adding, “We are in the early days of investigation.” The breach, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, is believed to have targeted systems used by federal authorities for court-approved electronic surveillance. U.S. telecom firms are legally required to provide access to communications under court order, and any compromise of these systems would pose a significant national security risk. Neither AT&T nor Lumen commented on the reports, while Verizon has yet to respond to inquiries.
A spokesperson from China’s embassy in Washington rejected the allegations, claiming that U.S. intelligence agencies and cybersecurity firms were spreading “disinformation” to secure funding and contracts. “We have always resolutely opposed and combated all forms of cyber hacking in accordance with the law,” the embassy spokesperson stated. “We urge relevant parties to stop politicizing cybersecurity issues and base their conclusions on evidence, not speculation.” The FBI and the White House National Security Council declined to comment.
Haugh also highlighted the broader threat posed by Chinese cyber actors, citing a 2022 advisory from the NSA that warned of state-sponsored hackers targeting telecommunications companies and other critical infrastructure. “China is conducting aggressive operations to collect intelligence on critical infrastructure,” Haugh said. “They are actively engaged in efforts to steal technology and compromise national security systems, including those in the defense industrial base.” He emphasized that these attacks reflect a deliberate strategy by Beijing to undermine U.S. security. “Protecting our infrastructure from these persistent threats is a top priority,” Haugh added.
