Presented by Lockheed Martin — It comes after Chinese-linked company compromised the U.S. telecommunication network.{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story  Cyber defense experts share warnings at hearing The Committee on Homeland Security hearing comes after Chinese-linked actor Salt Typhoon compromised the U.S. telecommunication network, a problem that was discovered in December.© GettyCommittee chair Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) said it was "alarming that most of our critical infrastructure systems have been violated right under our noses." "We cannot allow this situation to continue. The American economy, our government, the military, depend on the resilience of our networks and our infrastructure," Green said. "It's past time for us to get a step ahead."  The hearing called on four cybersecurity experts to testify about how the U.S. can better defend against foreign cyber threats.  Mark Montgomery, a retired rear admiral and now a senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the recent Chinese cyber incursions amount to battlefield preparations.  "It is a war-making action," he said. "We have to take it much more seriously."  Montgomery compared it to a situation in which China would have placed explosives on U.S. infrastructure, saying that would provoke a serious reaction from Washington "but somehow in cyberspace they get a pass."  Montgomery recommended the U.S. respond in kind to disable foreign capabilities used for cyberattacks, and he also recommended spurring more public-private cybersecurity investment and using the National Guard for more defensive operations.  The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is the point agency for cyberdefense, but it needs strengthening in several areas, including its global response, said Kemba Walden, president of Paladin Global Institute.  "Strengthening CISA's ability to [assist] across borders, recognizing that our digital infrastructure is global in nature," she said. "CISA needs maybe some clarity on how to do that."  The hearing comes just over a month after the discovery of Salt Typhoon, which penetrated telecommunication networks in the U.S. through devices from companies like Verizon and AT&T in an effort going back to at least 2022.  And in December, the Treasury Department also said it was hacked by Chinese actors who accessed some systems and unclassified files.  North Korea, Russia and Iran are also active in the cyberspace, with Tehran-linked actors responsible for hacking the Trump campaign last year.  Russia was responsible for the 2020 SolarWinds hack, which saw actors hack a Texas-based software company used by the U.S. government, giving them access to systems from federal agencies.  Adam Meyers, senior vice president of counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike, said cyber intrusions increased 150 percent across all sectors in the past year.  "The cyber threat landscape is complex, dynamic and increasingly interconnected. Adversaries are constantly refining their tactics to exploit vulnerabilities across industries and sectors," he said. "To counter these threats, we must raise the cost of cyber attacks and reduce their impact."  Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm I'm Brad Dress — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future:   Pentagon sending 1,500 troops to secure US-Mexico border The Pentagon is sending up to 1,500 troops to help secure the southern border as President Trump pushes to stem the tide of migrants entering the country. Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses is expected to sign a release order on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press, but the exact number of troops and which ones would deploy is still unclear and could fluctuate. Trump vowed on the campaign trail to send active-duty …  Full Story  New allegations against Pete Hegseth alarm Democrats as Pentagon confirmation loomsSenate Democrats are sounding the alarm over a sworn affidavit from the ex-sister-in-law of Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth that accuses him of being abusive toward his second wife. The document emerged Tuesday, one day after the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced Hegseth’s nomination on a party-line vote and as Senate Republicans push to complete his confirmation in the coming days. Danielle Hegseth, who was married …  Full Story  VA secretary nominee promises expanded care options amid worries of ballooning costsFormer Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, on Tuesday hinted at an expanded health care delivery system after years of pressure to bring down costs and lower wait times for care for former service members. “At the end of the day, the veteran is getting taken care of. VA care is going to happen. . . [but] there’s different expressions of how we make it better. We don’t …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  The Pentagon is sending some 1,500 U.S. troops to help secure the southern border.The Senate is expected to take up a vote on Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth by the end of the week. The Senate Veteran Affairs Committee will vote Thursday on the nominee of Doug Collins as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the nomination of Daniel Driscoll to be Secretary of the Army.  In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill:Refugee flights to US canceled after Trump order The State Department has suspended flights bringing previously approved refugees to the United States, cutting off access to protection in advance of the timeline set by President Trump in a new order pausing the program.  An email reviewed Wednesday by The Associated Press, the U.S. agency … Full Story   On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The Potomac Officers Club hosts an all-day defense summit in McLean, Va. The U.S. Institute of Peace looks at the future of Vietnam during a 10 a.m. online event. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies chats with retired Air Force generals on the pilot crisis for a 10 a.m. online event. The House Veterans Affairs Committee holds a 1:15 p.m. hearing on veterans due process and second amendment rights.  What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Pentagon plans for bigger U.S. troop role at border (The Wall Street Journal) Deep cuts in Army, EUCOM downsizing among plans pushed by 2 Trump defense strategists (Stars and Stripes) Fighting alongside Russia, North Koreans wage their own war (The New York Times)  Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: House passes Laken Riley Act, sending it to Trump for first legislative win The House on Wednesday passed the Laken Riley Act, sending the immigration-related bill to President Trump’s desk in what is poised to be his first … Read more Speaker Johnson forms committee to probe Jan. 6, Democrats’ original investigation Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday said he will establish a new select subcommittee that will probe the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot — and likely … Read more  Close Thank you for signing up! 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