FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress he needed more money, arguing that Chinese hackers far outnumbered cyber intelligence personnel in the United States.
"To give you an idea of what we're facing, if each of the FBI's cyber agents and intelligence analysts focus exclusively on the China threat, Chinese hackers will still outnumber FBI cybersecurity personnel by at least 50 to 1," Wray said in testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee during a budget hearing on Thursday.
Wray added that China has "a hacking program bigger than any other country, and it has stolen more of our personal and corporate data than all other countries — large and small — combined."
"Today's cyber threats are more prevalent, hitting a variety of victims, and having the potential for more damage than ever before, you can take China as an example. A key part of the Chinese government's multi-way strategy to surpass us as a global cyber superpower is data theft and cybersecurity threat."
Ray's testimony reveals the sheer scale of cyber threats the US faces (European News Agency)
China is not alone in the threat from the East
However, Rae said, "Countries like Russia, Iran and North Korea also represent significant cybersecurity concerns, all as well as non-state criminal actors. The FBI is currently investigating more than 100 ransomware cases with dozens of victims each."
Wray warned that cyberattacks target critical infrastructure and services that ordinary Americans rely on every day, such as hospitals, schools and emergency call centers.
The agency is asking for about $63 million to help it boost its cyber staff with 192 new jobs. Wray said this would also help the FBI put more cyber staff in field offices to be closer to where cybercrime victims actually are.
"We will dedicate these vital resources to ensuring that the FBI remains the world's leading electronic investigative agency by taking the fight to our adversaries through joint sequential operations and quickly sharing information with the private sector," Wray said.
Wray's warnings come after the intelligence community's annual threat report said China represented "the broadest, most active, and persistent threat to cyber espionage on U.S. government and private sector networks."
Those responsible for the report warned that China is "capable of launching cyberattacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure services within the United States, including oil and gas pipelines and rail systems."
As for Russia, intelligence officials estimated that the Kremlin would continue to use "military and security tools, malign influence, and electronic and intelligence tools to undermine the interests of the United States and its allies."
The officials also warned that Iran and North Korea pose a "significant threat" to U.S. networks and data, given their capabilities and willingness to conduct "aggressive cyber operations."