This week, Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN), chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Examiner highlighting the growing threat of cyberattacks from foreign adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran. Ogles emphasized that these threats put America’s critical infrastructure at risk and called for urgent action to address them.
Ogles referenced a recent hearing he led with private sector witnesses to discuss how the United States can improve its offensive cyber operations as part of a broader national security strategy. The hearing included testimony from representatives of Anthropic, Google, and Quantum Xchange about leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to strengthen cybersecurity.
In his op-ed, Ogles stated: “America is under attack. Our critical infrastructure — the digital and physical systems that sustain daily life — is being probed, infiltrated, and in some cases quietly occupied by hostile foreign powers. If we fail to confront this threat with clarity and resolve, the consequences will be swift, disruptive, and deeply personal for millions of Americans.”
He described how agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, National Security Agency, and FBI have confirmed that Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors are preparing for possible destructive attacks against U.S. networks. He cited incidents such as Chinese-backed hackers infiltrating water and electric systems in Littleton, Massachusetts.
Ogles also pointed out advancements in cyber warfare tactics. He noted: “Last year, a report from Anthropic revealed a troubling new evolution in cyber warfare. With high confidence, the company assessed that a China-backed state-sponsored actor had used Anthropic’s Claude artificial intelligence platform to help automate elements of a cyber operation targeting entities around the world, significantly reducing the need for direct human involvement.”
The article stressed that other countries—Russia, Iran, North Korea—are also actively seeking vulnerabilities in U.S. networks.
As chairman of the subcommittee under the House Committee on Homeland Security, Ogles said: “I am committed to an America First cybersecurity mission, meaning we must hold cyber aggressors accountable, confront hostile regimes without apology, and ensure the federal government can aggressively respond when deterrence fails.”
He highlighted legislative steps taken by Republicans through measures like provisions in defense authorization bills and two bills he sponsored—the Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act (PILLAR Act) aimed at strengthening resources for state and local governments facing increased attacks; and the Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act designed to streamline federal response efforts against threats posed by groups such as those linked to China’s Communist Party.
Ogles urged further cooperation between government agencies and private companies since most critical infrastructure is privately owned or operated. He argued that effective deterrence requires aligning government authority with private sector expertise.
Discussing technology trends shaping both economic growth and cybersecurity risks—including AI adoption by adversaries—he said: “Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and quantum technologies offer extraordinary defensive potential but they also introduce new risks if adversaries exploit them first.”
He concluded: “We are in an era of cyber terrorism where cyberattacks can paralyze communities without a single shot being fired. Protecting America’s digital borders is as vital as defending its physical ones. The U.S. must act with urgency and confidence to secure its networks before adversaries decide to test them in ways Americans cannot afford.”
