Salt Typhoon Uncovered: Analyzing the Most Devastating Telecom Breach in U.S. History


### The Salt Typhoon Breach: Essential Information About the Biggest Telecom Security Incident in U.S. History

In our increasingly digital landscape, cybersecurity threats have become nearly routine. Yet, the Salt Typhoon breach stands out as a significantly more serious and extensive incident than most. Senator Mark R. Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has labeled it the **“largest telecom hack in [U.S.] history by a considerable margin.”** This breach has exposed the data of numerous Americans and granted hackers the ability to surveil the communications of political figures for several years.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of what you need to understand regarding the Salt Typhoon breach.

### What Is Salt Typhoon?

Salt Typhoon is a hacking collective believed to be supported by the Chinese government. Having been active since at least 2020, the group has executed cyberattacks on targets within the U.S. and across the globe.

Salt Typhoon specializes in **advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks**, a tactic that allows hackers to penetrate systems and maintain a low profile for prolonged periods. This secretive strategy enables them to accumulate significant intelligence regarding their targets.

While frequently called Salt Typhoon, the group is also recognized by various other names, such as **GhostEmperor, FamousSparrow, Earth Estries, and UNC2286.** Microsoft assigned the label “Salt Typhoon,” employing “Typhoon” to categorize all threat actors associated with the Chinese government.

### What Occurred During the Salt Typhoon Telecom Breach?

On Wednesday, U.S. authorities disclosed that Salt Typhoon hackers had compromised at least eight telecommunications firms. Earlier reports this year had hinted at a state-sponsored cyber intrusion directed at internet service providers.

The breach, thought to have been **active for one to two years**, is still ongoing. Salt Typhoon currently retains access to numerous telecom systems, and efforts to expel the hackers have proven difficult. The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) declared it “impossible” to determine when the intruders will be completely removed.

U.S. officials suggest that this attack is part of a larger espionage initiative led by Chinese authorities. However, the Chinese government has denied any wrongdoing, with a spokesperson from China’s embassy in Washington asserting that the U.S. is misusing cybersecurity concerns to malign China.

### Which Telecommunications Firms Were Targeted?

Although a comprehensive list of impacted companies has not been provided, the campaign targeted telecom organizations globally. According to Anne Neuberger, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Tech, **“dozens of countries”** have been affected, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the U.S., at least eight telecom companies faced breaches. The companies reportedly include:

– **Verizon**
– **AT&T**
– **T-Mobile**
– **Lumen Technologies**

### What Are the Implications for Individuals?

While officials believe the breach did not impact every American, it has affected a **“large number”** of individuals, particularly in the Washington, D.C. area. The hackers are said to have infiltrated metadata, such as the records of who interacted with whom and when, but not the actual content of the communications.

Though much of this metadata may appear trivial, Salt Typhoon allegedly leveraged it to pinpoint specific targets, which include corporate entities and political figures. Reportedly targeted individuals included **Donald Trump, Senator J.D. Vance,** and participants in the presidential campaigns of both Trump and Kamala Harris.

After identifying these individuals, the hackers sought to infiltrate their communications, including reading messages and monitoring phone calls. As of November, around **150 individuals** had been identified and notified, the majority located in Washington, D.C.

Moreover, it has been reported that Salt Typhoon gained access to the U.S. law enforcement system used for wiretap requests. Though there is no indication the hackers monitored these networks, they might have obtained insights regarding individuals under investigation by the U.S. government.

### What Steps Is the U.S. Government Taking?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has declared it is **“taking significant action to rectify vulnerabilities in U.S. telecommunications networks.”** Among the proposed initiatives are:

– **Clarifying cybersecurity standards** for telecom companies, ensuring they secure both their equipment and their network management.
– **Annual certification mandates** for telecom firms, including adherence to new cybersecurity risk management protocols.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel highlighted the necessity for a contemporary framework to prevent and respond to cyber threats, stating, **“While the Commission’s counterparts in the intelligence community are working to assess the scale and implications of the Salt Typhoon breach, we must implement measures to secure our networks moving forward.”**

Additionally, a Senate Commerce subcommittee plans to conduct a hearing on December 11 to investigate the Salt Typhoon breach and deliberate on potential responses.