Bipartisan group of senators press Mayorkas on US readiness for Russian cyberthreat

A bipartisan group of senators is pressing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro MayorkasAlejandro Mayorkas Hillicon Valley — Warner keeps eye on Russia cyber moves Intel chair 'amazed' Russia hasn't launched full-scale cyberwarfare Bipartisan group of senators press Mayorkas on US readiness for Russian cyberthreat MORE on the U.S.’s readiness for Russian cyberattacks amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The group of 22 senators, led by Sens. Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl Rosen Hillicon Valley — Warner keeps eye on Russia cyber moves Bipartisan group of senators press Mayorkas on US readiness for Russian cyberthreat The time to address the student mental health crisis is now MORE (D-Nev.) and Mike RoundsMike Rounds Hillicon Valley — Warner keeps eye on Russia cyber moves For better Middle Eastern relations tomorrow, engage youth today Bipartisan group of senators press Mayorkas on US readiness for Russian cyberthreat MORE (R-S.D.), penned a letter to Mayorkas on Sunday asking for a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) briefing on “efforts to protect the United States homeland from Russian government cyber and disinformation threats in the wake of Russia’s violent and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.”

The senators are specifically concerned that Russia may use cyber and disinformation activities to retaliate against the U.S. for crushing sanctions it has placed on Moscow in response to its war on Ukraine. The U.S. has imposed sweeping penalties on top Russian government officials, oligarchs, banks and businesses since Moscow began its invasion on Feb. 24.

“As we stand with the Ukrainian people, imposing crushing sanctions on Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich Putin International Criminal Court to issue ruling on allegations of genocide against Russia Overnight Defense & National Security — Presented by AM General — US worried China may help Russia Lawmaker pressure on Biden hits its limits MORE’s regime, and push for additional security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself, we also must work to secure the homeland from retaliatory cyber activities,” the senators wrote.

They noted Russia’s history of engaging in “malicious cyber activities, including espionage, intellectual property theft, disinformation, propaganda, and cyberattacks” that target the U.S., including the SolarWinds hack in 2020, which led to a series of data breached within federal agencies.

Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony Blinken Jill Biden: 'Senselessness' of Russia war in Ukraine 'is staggering' Bipartisan group of senators press Mayorkas on US readiness for Russian cyberthreat Five key developments in Russia's invasion of Ukraine MORE earlier this month said the U.S. is “very much on guard” for a possible Russian cyberattack during its invasion of Ukraine, according to CNN.

The senators are specifically asking for a briefing to learn what the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is doing to monitor and proactively defend against potential Russian cyber threats and whether there is a plan in place if U.S. critical infrastructure is affected in a breach.

CISA's website Monday morning said there are currently "no specific or credible cyber threats to the U.S. at this time."

However, last month it issued a "Shields Up" alert for American organizations amid fears of a Russian attack.

"While there are not currently any specific credible threats to the U.S. homeland, we are mindful of the potential for the Russian government to consider escalating its destabilizing actions in ways that may impact others outside of Ukraine," CISA said in an alert issued on Feb. 12.

The senators are also asking if specific U.S. entities or sectors are targets, and how CISA is providing technical support to them, in addition to questions over its Shields Up Technical Guidance.

Additionally, the senators asked Mayorkas about how DHS is defending against Russian disinformation efforts, how the disinformation threat level in the U.S. has changed since the invasion began and for information on CISA’s coordination with NATO allies and Ukraine.