A former NSA analyst has raised concerns that China is placing equipment in key locations potentially aimed at disrupting U.S. commerce. This comes after U.S. experts found unauthorized communication devices in solar inverters made in China, which were not listed in the official product documentation. According to the analyst, these rogue inverters can bypass firewalls remotely, creating significant security risks as they connect solar panels to the grid.
Rocky Cole, who previously worked with the NSA and is now a co-founder of IIVERIFY, indicated that it’s quite possible for China to exploit these devices to infiltrate American infrastructure. He suggested that this strategy fits within China’s broader tactics aimed at U.S. vulnerabilities, especially in a scenario involving conflict with Taiwan.
Cole highlighted that Chinese law requires companies to assist the government’s intelligence efforts when called upon. In response to these claims, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, asserted that China’s development efforts are focused on improving lives, and he criticized the U.S. for jumping to conclusions without clear evidence.
Moreover, sources have revealed that unauthorized communication devices, including cellular radios, have been spotted in batteries from various Chinese suppliers over the past several months.
Cole further noted that the presence of these devices poses a significant threat, indicating that they could theoretically be used to disrupt American commerce during potential conflicts. He stressed the necessity for U.S. officials to take these risks seriously, particularly concerning hardware tied to critical infrastructure.
