White House warns US companies about ‘preparatory’ Russian hacking

Senior White House cybersecurity official Anne Neuberger said on Monday that important US companies that provide critical infrastructure should improve their cyber defensive posture because of ongoing digital threats from Russia.

Neuberger said the US government has seen “preparatory” Russian hacking activity aimed at numerous US companies, but it has “no certainty” such an attack will occur.

The administration recently provided classified briefings to hundreds of US companies that may be targeted by Russian hackers, Neuberger said.

The White House also published a written statement on Monday from President Joe Biden where he warned that Moscow may lash out with cyberattacks because of the “unprecedented economic costs we’ve imposed on Russia.”

This warning, Neuberger said, is based on “evolving threat intelligence.”