🌀 Volt Typhoon: Chinese hackers allegedly sow chaos in US critical infrastructure

Plus: VR goggle for mice, space-based gas stations, tires with instant snow chain deployment As geopolitical tensions with China worsen, hackers with suspected ties to the nation’s military have penetrated computer networks regulating vital US dams, pipelines, and power stations. Rather than immediately vandalize these critical infrastructure controls, officials say the infiltrations provide Chinese forces with a ready-made way to remotely trigger disruption of civilian infrastructure if armed warfare ever breaks out in the Pacific theater. There is now an urgent effort to locate and remove all pre-positioned cyberweapons from the critical systems that modern societies depend upon. Jump to today’s [Must Read]( to understand the ongoing battle to eradicate the means to spark mayhem in cities across the US. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it! 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Must Read [⚡️🌀 Chinese hackers allegedly target US infrastructure as ‘Volt Typhoon’]( A recent report indicates hackers linked to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have successfully breached over 20 US critical infrastructure targets, including water systems, power grids, and West Coast ports. The series of cyber intrusions, dubbed Volt Typhoon, did not cause immediate disruption. However, officials warn the attacks likely sought to pre-position remote sabotage and chaos-sowing capabilities for debilitating activation if national tensions erupted into open conflict. While hardening defenses, the Biden administration aims to mandate heightened cybersecurity standards across vulnerable industries. Still, legal disputes and advanced persistent threat techniques remain, and this will demand heightened vigilance if infrastructure infiltration is to be thwarted. Click below to learn more about how the U.S. government plans to bolster its defenses. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🐭 Tiny VR goggles immerse mice in simulated worlds]( Northwestern University researchers pioneered miniaturized virtual reality goggles for mice to enhance visual environment experiments. Unlike previous flat displays, the compact rodent headset provides realistic depth and immersion thanks to proximity to eyes, 3D rendering and 180-degree views. The innovation is providing new insights into mice behavior and neural activity. Learn more about the tech that’s sending mice into The Matrix. [[Read More]( [Energy]( [⛽️🛰 Space startups join forces on space-based gas stations]( Orbit Fab, developer of orbital “gas stations” to refuel satellites, signed a deal with lunar exploration firm ispace to develop lunar propellant harvesting. Combining expertise in space-to-space logistics and lunar landing technology, the collaboration aims to map resources and demonstrate end-to-end capabilities for extracting and delivering lunar fuel. Learn more about the quest to establish an off-world fuel network. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [Shape-shifting tires instantly sprout snow chains]( Hyundai and Kia unveiled an innovative winter safety solution – tires embedded with retractable shape memory alloy “snow chains” triggered at the push of a button. Deploying the alloy modules provides better traction, stability and control on snowy roads without needing to stop and manually install chains. Besides saving time and effort, the convenient built-in system also indicates tread wear for proactive maintenance. Click below to see how the system works. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [ISD Engineer III- Oracle Security Administrator]( at Navy Federal Credit Union Vienna(US) [AWS Cloud Software Engineer]( at FIS Global Boston(US) [Principal Software Engineer]( at Light & Wonder Las Vegas(US) [Senior Analog Design Engineer]( at ASML San Jose(US) [Systems Engineer]( at Capgemini Engineering -(US) [Hardware/Firmware Test Engineer - Remote Opportunity Available]( at ENSCO, Inc. Remote(US) [Senior Software Engineer]( at Piranha Games Inc. Remote(CA) [Principal DevSecOps Engineer]( at Accenture Federal Services Fort Belvoir(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY How concerned are you about cyber threats to critical infrastructure? [Very, our defenses must improve]( [Moderately, we need to prepare]( [The threat is overhyped]( [Not something I worry about]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, in one of our most popular recent polls, we asked about your interest in converting your gas-powered car into an electric vehicle. 43 percent have no interest, and environmental concerns only swayed 16 percent of you. 43% No, I like my car how it is 33% Pay how much? 16% Yes, it’s good for the environment 7% Yes, I hate paying for gas “It is very clear that Chinese attempts to compromise critical infrastructure are in part to pre-position themselves to be able to disrupt or destroy that critical infrastructure in the event of a conflict.” Brandon Wales, executive director of the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). 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