CrowdStrike Shares Slide 8.51% in Six Days as Salt Typhoon Breach Sparks Cybersecurity Overhaul, Trading Volume Ranks 97th

CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) shares fell 0.13% on July 17, 2025, marking the sixth consecutive day of decline, with a total decrease of 8.51% over the past six days. The trading volume for the day was $10.60 billion, placing it 97th in the overall market rankings.

The recent approval of the Intelligence Authorization Act by the Senate Intelligence Committee marks a significant shift in America's cybersecurity posture. This legislation directly addresses the Salt Typhoon breach, described by officials as the worst telecom hack in U.S. history. The breach, attributed to Chinese state-sponsored cyber operations, has had profound implications for U.S. national security infrastructure, highlighting the need for proactive cybersecurity governance.

The Salt Typhoon breach involved the penetration of multiple U.S. telecommunications networks, including major providers like AT&T and Verizon, as well as Lumen Technologies. The hackers gained access to systems that log U.S. law enforcement requests for criminal wiretaps, compromising the integrity of America's most sensitive surveillance infrastructure. This breach is particularly alarming due to its nature as an espionage operation, targeting call records of numerous Americans, including officials and staff affiliated with President-elect Trump's administration.

The legislative response to the Salt Typhoon breach includes the Intelligence Authorization Act, which introduces several critical provisions. These provisions aim to strengthen network security by establishing baseline cybersecurity requirements for vendors of telecommunications services to the country's 18 intelligence agencies. The act also leverages the procurement power of intelligence agencies to enforce cybersecurity standards across the telecommunications sector.

Congressional oversight has intensified following the Salt Typhoon incident, with lawmakers demanding answers from telecommunications companies about their cybersecurity practices. Senator Maria Cantwell and Senator Ron Wyden have both called for greater transparency and accountability from companies like AT&T and Verizon, reflecting growing frustration with perceived inadequate corporate cybersecurity measures.

The federal response to the Salt Typhoon breach includes both legislative and executive actions. The Biden administration has implemented Treasury sanctions against PRC-based actors involved in malicious cyber activity. Additionally, a $3 billion investment has been allocated to help rural broadband providers replace potentially compromised Chinese-made internet equipment, addressing a critical vulnerability in America's telecommunications infrastructure.

The broader implications of the Salt Typhoon breach extend beyond cybersecurity to questions of national sovereignty, economic security, and the protection of democratic institutions. As the U.S. continues to confront an increasingly assertive and technologically sophisticated China, the lessons learned from Salt Typhoon will inform cybersecurity policy for years to come. The success of the legislative response will ultimately be measured by the effective implementation of cybersecurity standards that can prevent future breaches, ensuring that America's telecommunications infrastructure is secure from foreign adversaries.