Summary: A report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a think tank, warns about China’s plan to exploit advanced remote sensing technology as a way to breach U.S. networks and infiltrate critical infrastructure to further their malicious goals.

Analyst Note: The technology, LiDAR (or Light Detection and Ranging), is an advanced remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to create highly detailed, three-dimensional maps of surrounding environments. By calculating the time it takes for these pulses to return to a sensor, LiDAR can generate precise spatial data far exceeding traditional methods, like radar and sonar, according to the report. LiDAR can be used by the water sector to monitor pipelines for leaks and corrosion, among other security uses.

Despite the benefits of the technology, China has worked to dominate the industry. Chinese-made LiDAR is already being used at U.S. critical infrastructure organizations, according to the report. This threat, similar to Chinese-made cameras, creates a clear opportunity for espionage and sabotage by “potentially enabling Beijing to access sensitive U.S. data or disrupt critical operations.” The report closes with several mitigation recommendations.

Original Source: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/12/02/laser-focus-countering-chinas-lidar-threat-to-u-s-critical-infrastructure-and-military-systems/

Additional Reading:

• Monitoring Critical Infrastructure Using 3D LiDAR Point Clouds
• Stay One Step Ahead with LiDAR Based Security Solutions

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 3