DOJ: China Is Still the Biggest US Cyber Threat, But Don't Ignore Russia

pcmag.com:

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its accompanying geopolitical turmoil may be occupying US adversaries, but they're still a threat to the US in cyberspace. That's the message Matthew Olson, Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice, had for attendees at this year's RSA Conference in San Francisco.

"I am not at all confident that we have seen the last of what they may do," said Olson, referring to the possibility of a major cyberattack from Russia against the US or other NATO countries. 

Olson pointed out that Russia used cyberattacks as part of its initial invasion into Ukraine, specifically referencing attacks against Viasat, a major satellite internet provider in Europe. Other reporting has shown that Russia's cyber activities have been disconnected from its ground military strategy, but Olson was clear that the lack of broader attacks outside the region does not mean Russia is not a threat.

 "They have certainly shown historically the capability and intent to carry out attacks against the United States," according to Olson, who called Russia a "very capable actor with global ambition and reach."

"We also just know generally that they are very focused on being able to establish persistent access to US critical infrastructure in a way that would enable them, if need be and if it suited their geopolitical purposes, to carry out attacks on the United States," he continued.  

One issue Olson takes a dim view on is volunteer hackers wading into a cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia. "The challenge, from the US government standpoint, is the potential for escalation," said Olson. "That might pose real challenges for us from a nation-state perspective."

Another part of Olson's mission with