Earlier this year, insurance executives in Times Square rehearsed a terrifying scenario: 5,000 US water utilities simultaneously knocked out by a Chinese cyberattack. WIRED’s Andy Greenberg witnessed the closed-door war game and revealed insights about Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored hacking group that has been pre-positioning malware to disrupt American infrastructure.

The potential consequences are chilling—burst water mains, evacuated hospitals, insulin shortages. The scariest part? It might not be the hack itself but what it reveals: China could use cyberattacks as a diversionary tactic during an invasion of Taiwan. Experts warn that this is just one theory, yet the evidence suggests China's intent to lay 'digital bombs' on US civilian infrastructure.

This raises critical questions about national security and preparedness. As Brian Barrett notes, Volt Typhoon's activities are not just targeting military facilities but also civilian utilities, hinting at a broader strategy for societal chaos. The game's countdown clock emphasized the urgency of addressing these threats before they become reality.

For now, the key takeaway is clear: the US must be vigilant and proactive in securing its critical infrastructure against potential cyber threats. As Andy Greenberg suggests, this isn't just about protecting military assets but also safeguarding everyday life from digital peril.