Trump Inherits a Cyberattack-Vulnerable United States: Experts’ Perspective
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As President Trump prepares to take office, he faces an unprecedentedly challenging digital landscape.
Recent revelations paint an alarming picture: Chinese cyber actors have breached various critical U.S. infrastructures, ranging from telecommunications to monitoring systems, even bypassing the sanctions arm of the Treasury Department.
According to Reuters, in late 2024, hackers backed by the Chinese government compromised the digital key of an external cybersecurity provider, BeyondTrust, granting them access to the Treasury Department. From there, attackers accessed unclassified documents and employee workstations, part of a strategy exploiting trusted external services.
In a letter to lawmakers, the incident was attributed to a Chinese advanced persistent threat (APT) actor, prompting a swift response from the Treasury, CISA, and the FBI. Beijing denied any involvement in the attack.
This incident adds to the ongoing cyber warfare operations of “Salt Typhoon,” which continues to expand its list of telecommunications victims.
Experts emphasize that the critical question is not what happened but rather what steps should be taken moving forward.
Why the U.S. Government Should Be Concerned About Cyberattacks
Chinese hackers have compromised key sectors, including telecommunications, national surveillance systems, the Treasury’s sanctions office, and a broad array of critical infrastructures such as water, energy, ports, and airports.
Despite efforts to gauge the scale of these intrusions, much remains unknown: the extent of the hackers’ activities within U.S. systems, whether they remain active in certain networks, or their ultimate objectives.
What is clear is that Trump’s administration—already intent on increasing tariffs and imposing restrictions on China—will inherit a nation with compromised digital systems.
Modern Challenges in Presidential Transitions
The decentralized U.S. governance system, the increasing authority of states, rapid technological advancements, and diverse federal agency procedures complicate the digital transition of power.
Philip Lieberman, founder and CEO of Analog Informatics—a healthcare company impacted by the 2024 cyberattacks—commented on the challenges of modern digital transitions. He noted issues such as the preparedness of regulated and unregulated companies working with the government, legal loopholes, limited budgets, and a lack of executive authority.
Despite the magnitude of the issue, cybersecurity experts across industries agree that a comprehensive audit of all systems compromised by Chinese cyber actors in 2024 is essential for the incoming administration.
Audits Are Crucial to Understanding the Extent of Cyberattacks
In an interview with McDaniel Wicker, Vice President of Strategy at Babel Street, the necessity of auditing affected systems was emphasized. Wicker recommended deep forensic analysis, continuous monitoring aligned with legal frameworks, and thorough supplier and supply chain audits.
Antonio Sánchez, from Fortra, added that forensic analysis is key to fully understanding the attacks carried out by “Typhoon.” Such analyses, encompassing event logs, network traffic, and user data management, can help identify threat actors, document findings, and mitigate the risk of future incidents.
Technologies Trump Should Implement From Day One
Wicker also suggested that, from day one, Trump’s administration should prioritize both offensive and defensive strategies, implementing real-time monitoring technologies and predictive analytics to detect and counteract threats. Additionally, strengthening supply chain security and rigorously evaluating suppliers is critical.
The Role of Foreign Policy in Cybersecurity
Lieberman highlighted the potential of foreign policy as a deterrent. Trump could announce that nations harboring cybercriminals or using government agencies to target U.S. assets would face escalating tariffs and sanctions.
He also proposed tax incentives and measures encouraging government agencies to internalize their cybersecurity services, improving resilience and efficiency.
Conclusion: An Uncertain Future for U.S.-China Cyber Relations
It is unlikely that cyber tensions between China and the United States will ease anytime soon. With escalation almost guaranteed and evidence suggesting China is strategically positioning itself for future actions within U.S. systems, the new administration faces a critical challenge.
The decisions Trump and his team make during the transition and early days in office could profoundly impact U.S. digital security and the broader global geopolitical landscape.
By: Nestor Castillo, ForAllTechNews Director
