The Chinese-linked hacking group Salt Typhoon has infiltrated major US telecommunications systems, raising significant concerns about the security of American citizens' communications.

US officials have classified Salt Typhoon as one of the most sophisticated cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, affecting all major telecommunications providers.

The attack exploited outdated telecommunications systems, some of which date back to the late 1970s, and lacked essential cybersecurity measures like multifactor authentication.

While the attack impacted various communication methods, it did not compromise encrypted messaging platforms such as Apple's iMessage, WhatsApp, and Signal.

In response to the threat posed by foreign intelligence, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI have recommended that Americans utilize end-to-end encrypted communication tools.

End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and intended recipients can access the content of communications, effectively protecting data in transit from interception.

Organizations in highly regulated industries must consider compliance with data retention and access requirements when implementing encrypted communication tools.

For instance, SEC Rule 17a-4 mandates that financial services retain communications for at least three years, while HIPAA requires healthcare entities to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI) and retain relevant communications for at least six years.

To ensure compliance, organizations should establish policies that manage the use of encrypted communications, including disabling features that may hinder adherence to data retention rules.

Regular training on communications security and regulatory compliance is essential for employees to mitigate risks associated with cyber threats.

Basic cybersecurity measures, such as multifactor authentication and keeping software updated, remain critical to strengthening overall cybersecurity defenses.

The situation with Salt Typhoon underscores the urgent need for organizations to adopt modern security practices while balancing these with their regulatory obligations.