FBI and CISA have warned that some US telecommunication companies have been breached by China-backed Salt Typhoon to snoop on US secrets and maintain access.

Multiple US telecommunications companies were hacked into by a People’s Republic of China (PRC)-backed threat actor to carry out a full-blown cyber-espionage attack, according to a joint FBI and CISA statement.

It’s long past the time to seriously address these ongoing threats.

To defend against evolving state-sponsored threats, telecoms and other critical infrastructure operators should integrate advanced technologies with cybersecurity best practices. 

Key measures include: 

• Deploying AI-driven threat detection systems for real-time intrusion identification and maintaining a proactive security posture.
• Regularly updated incident response plans with clear protocols for containment and recovery are essential for minimizing damage.
• Conducting frequent security audits and vulnerability assessments, especially on legacy systems, helps identify and mitigate weaknesses.
• Active threat intelligence sharing with peers and government agencies enhances awareness and speeds up threat mitigation.
• Regular employee training on cybersecurity best practices, including phishing simulations to reduce insider threats and ensure a robust cybersecurity strategy.

Best practices notwithstanding, it is important to incorporate advanced security technologies that embody the concept of "enterprise digital sovereignty" to further enhance an organization's defense capabilities. 

This approach provides a Zero Trust security architecture that includes data-in-flight protection, enhanced authentication verification, and data loss prevention. It operates as a control plane management system for cryptographic operations, offering a streamlined path to implementing Zero Trust principles. 

By eliminating the need for traditional public key infrastructure and automating multi-factor authentication, this technology reduces the complexity and potential vulnerabilities associated with cryptographic operations.

The flexibility of deploying such technologies—whether on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments—ensures that organizations can tailor their security solutions to their specific needs. 

By integrating these advanced technologies, telecoms and critical industries can significantly enhance their security posture, making it more difficult for state-sponsored actors to exploit vulnerabilities.