"‘Evolving Intelligence’ Puts U.S. Energy Industry On High Alert" [1]
"President Biden yesterday urged U.S. companies operating critical infrastructure, including in the energy sector, to harden their digital defenses as new intelligence shows Russia is “exploring options for potential cyberattacks.”
The statement is the White House’s clearest warning since the start of the war in Ukraine of Russia’s willingness and capacity to strike the United States by shutting down vital computer networks.
The administration had previously warned that economic sanctions imposed on Moscow could prompt acts of retaliation, but yesterday’s alert signifies the biggest shift in tone so far.
“I have previously warned about the potential that Russia could conduct malicious cyber activity against the United States, including as a response to the unprecedented economic costs we’ve imposed on Russia alongside our allies and partners. It’s part of Russia’s playbook,” Biden said in a statement."