The investigation into Chinese state-backed hacking group Salt Typhoon's massive cyberattack against U.S. telecom firms has been halted for now with the Trump administration's move to terminate all members of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB).
Pink slips were also issued to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISAs) Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, and all other Department of Homeland Security advisory committees, prompting concern from cybersecurity advocates, reports CyberScoop.
Even though Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman noted the potential reapplication of outgoing committee members in their respective posts, such an action was feared by House Committee on Homeland Security's Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) Thompson and other officials worry that the Trump administration sought to possibly defer the Salt Typhoon probe.
Dismantling the CSRB was also regarded by cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont to clear Microsoft of any accountability from its security failures that resulted in a separate Chinese hacking incident, while IANS Research's Jake Williams said the panel's removal could have an adverse effect on U.S. national security.
However, Mark Green (R-Tenn.), House Homeland Security Chair, said the recent move will offer the Trump administration the opportunity to appoint new CSRB members or better review the board's mission.
