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LongTomH

(8,636 posts) Sat Jul 14, 2018, 09:30 PM Jul 2018

US intelligence chief: 'The warning lights are blinking red again' on cyberattacks

CNN.com: US intelligence chief: 'The warning lights are blinking red again' on cyberattacks:

(CNN)Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats raised the alarm on growing cyberattack threats against the United States, saying the situation is at a "critical point" and coming out forcefully against Russia.

"The warning signs are there. The system is blinking. It is why I believe we are at a critical point," Coats said, addressing the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, on Friday.

"Today, the digital infrastructure that serves this country is literally under attack," he said.
Coats compared the "warning signs" to those the United States faced ahead of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"It was in the months prior to September 2001 when, according to then-CIA Director George Tenet, the system is blinking red. And here we are nearly two decades later, and I'm here to say, the warning lights are blinking red again," Coats said.

Coats said the "worst offenders" are Russia, China, Iran and North Korea -- with Russia the "most aggressive foreign actor, no question. And they continue their efforts to undermine our democracy."

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US intelligence chief: 'The warning lights are blinking red again' on cyberattacks (Original Post) LongTomH Jul 2018 OP

These actions are persistent, they're pervasive..........." LongTomH Jul 2018 #1

LongTomH

(8,636 posts)

1. These actions are persistent, they're pervasive..........."

Reply to LongTomH (Original post)

Sat Jul 14, 2018, 09:31 PM

Jul 2018

Coats referred to the indictments and alluded to upcoming election threats, but said "focusing on the potential impact of these actions, on our midterm election, misses the more important point: These actions are persistent, they're pervasive, and they are meant to undermine America's democracy on a daily basis, regardless of whether it is election time or not. Russia actors and others are exploring vulnerabilities in our critical infrastructure as well."

Coats added, "What's serious about the Russians is their intent. They have capabilities, but it's their intent to undermine our basic values, undermine democracy, create wedges between us and our allies."

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