Officials warn of potential hacking attempts as ransomware cyberattacks are on the rise

June 7, 2021 Carley Joanou US 0

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks during a press briefing at the White House. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:12 PM PT – Monday, June 7, 2021

An alarming rise in cyberattacks targeting U.S. businesses has prompted officials to call for action. Joe Biden’s Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm claimed that the U.S. energy grid is vulnerable in the face of alleged foreign attacks.

“I think there are very malign actors who are trying even as we speak,” she explained. “There are thousands of attacks on all aspects of the energy sector and the private sector generally.”

During an interview on Sunday, Granholm reiterated the fears of alleged foreign hackings which she suggests could leave entire regions of the U.S. without electricity. She cited recent shutdowns of the Colonial Pipeline and a meat-packing company as examples of what could happen to the entire power grid.

“This is what the President is doing. He’s working with our allies,” she mentioned. “He’s working with countries around the world because other countries, even Russia, they don’t want to see their sectors attacked by malign actors, by rogue non-state actors and not to mention state actors.”

Critics say Biden officials have failed to prevent or address recent cyberattacks which they claim didn’t occur under President Trump. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) suggested that Russia should be held responsible. During an interview on Sunday, the Republican senator said that our critical infrastructure is very exposed and added that it’s time for Russians to pay the price. Graham went on to mention that he doesn’t believe attacks were ordered from President Vladamir Putin or the Putin regime, but that the hackers live in Russia with impunity and are tied to the country’s intelligence services.

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Graham’s remarks come not long after the Senate Sergeant at Arms Karen Gibson warned that cyberattacks may pose the greatest threat to our national security. During an interview on Saturday, Gibson said cyberthreats keep her up at night rather than the possibility of another Capitol breach.

Gibson also mentioned that senators may have sensitive information in their possession that they don’t want to be exposed. She went on saying, “I would worry about, I think, nation state actors or others who might try to just really cripple the government’s ability to function by locking down cyber communications networks.”

Her remarks come as Democrats and the mainstream media are pushing for a 9/11 style commission to look into the January 6 attack. However, in recent weeks transportation systems, news stations and energy companies were targeted by hackers.