Law enforcement said data could be stolen.
According to a public service announcement released Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Chinese-made drones “pose a significant risk to critical infrastructure and U.S. national security” and that U.S. data It warns that there is a possibility of theft.
DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI say a Chinese law that allows the government to access data held by private companies could put U.S. data related to drones at risk. It states that there is.
“The use of Chinese-made unmanned aircraft requires careful consideration and potential mitigation measures to reduce risks to networks and sensitive information,” the document said.
The White House says China is the country’s most “advanced, active and persistent cyber threat,” in part because of its ability to exploit data used by American consumers.
“At the heart of this strategy is data acquisition and collection, which China views as a strategic resource and a growing area of geopolitical competition,” the release said. “Using Chinese-made unmanned aircraft to operate critical infrastructure risks exposing sensitive information to Chinese authorities, endangering U.S. national security, economic security, and public health and safety.”
The agency said the 2021 law would expand China’s “access to and control over companies and data within China” and impose stiff penalties for violations against China-based companies.
“The data collected by these companies is essential to China’s military-civil fusion strategy, which seeks to gain strategic advantage over the United States by facilitating access to advanced technology and expertise.” stated in the release.
More and more critical infrastructure companies are relying on drones, or what governments call unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), because they are cost-effective.
“Our nation’s critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, chemicals, and communications, are increasingly relying on unmanned aerial vehicles for a variety of missions that ultimately reduce operational costs and improve personnel safety. The use of manufactured unmanned aircraft risks exposing classified information that endangers the United States’ national security, economic security, and public health and safety,” said Dr. David Massington, CISA Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security. Stated.
According to a press release, the Chinese drones are “capable of transmitting and receiving data.”
China exploits drones in several ways, including by transferring and collecting data, updating software, and using docking stations as data collection devices. For example, connecting a docking station to a shared outlet on the network allows the device to access other data such as “sensitive imagery, survey data, and facility layouts.”
The consequences of this data collection could “significantly impact the security and resiliency of critical infrastructure,” the agency warned.
These include exposing intellectual property to Chinese companies, providing critical infrastructure operational details, compromising cybersecurity and physical security controls, and providing network details to make it easier for Chinese hackers to penetrate systems. Includes publishing.
CISA and the FBI are urging businesses and individuals to isolate Chinese drones from their networks and undergo regular maintenance to maintain proper security measures.