CyberWire Daily Confronting China’s Expanding Cyber Threats [Threat Vector]
Jan 1, 2026
Wendi Whitmore, Chief Security Intelligence Officer at Palo Alto Networks, brings over 20 years of expertise in countering cyber threats. She discusses the alarming scale of China-linked cyber threats and the vulnerabilities in outdated operational technology. Wendi emphasizes the role of AI in threat detection and resilience, urging continuous intelligence sharing and scenario planning. She warns about the risks of AI in cyberattacks and advocates for automated detection systems. This insightful conversation highlights the urgent need for a proactive cybersecurity stance.
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Unprecedented Scale Of China-Linked Operations
- China-linked nation-state activity is operating at unprecedented scale and persistence.
- They collect data broadly for espionage, infrastructure targeting, and future exploitation.
Vulnerabilities Exploited At Lightning Speed
- CVEs are being weaponized far faster than before, sometimes within minutes or hours.
- Rapid mass exploitation increases risk for both critical infrastructure and commercial systems.
Cambodian Governments Compromised Simultaneously
- Unit 42 found 23 Cambodian government organizations compromised nearly simultaneously.
- This demonstrates whole-of-government scale operations affecting allies and partners.