WASHINGTON – The threat of cyberattacks against the US is at a “criticalpoint,” the country’s intelligence chief has warned, branding Russia themost “aggressive foreign actor” ahead of President Donald Trump’s meetingwith Vladimir Putin.
“The warning signs are there. The system is blinking. It is why I believewe are at a critical point,” national intelligence director Dan Coats saidFriday at an event in Washington.
“Today, the digital infrastructure that serves this country is literallyunder attack… with the worst offenders being Russia, China, Iran and NorthKorea,” he said.
“Every day they are penetrating our digital infrastructure and conducting arange of cyber intrusions and attacks against targets in the UnitedStates.” Coats said they target businesses, all levels of government,private institutions and elements of “critical infrastructure” — addingthey are intended to undermine democracy on a daily basis, regardless ofwhether there are elections.
He identified Russia as the most aggressive, “no question.”
His comments came as 12 Russian intelligence officers were charged Fridaywith hacking Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and theDemocratic Party, as part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe intoRussian interference and potential Trump campaign collusion with Moscow.