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A chief analyst for Google’s threat intelligence operation has warned that Iran’s likelihood to engage widespread cyberattacks is a certainty.
By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
The threat from Iranian cyber operations is not to be taken lightly, experts are warning.
A new report filed by Danny Palmer, a deputy editor for Infosecurity Magazine, says Google’s chief threat intelligence analyst is predicting that Iran will engage in cyberattacks as the conflict in the Middle East continues.
In his interview with the publication, John Hultquist, the chief analyst for the Google Threat Intelligence Group, described the threat as being multifaceted: from state actors and sympathetic hackers, known as hacktivists.
Additionally, he said some nations that are now on the receiving end of the Iranian government’s ire may not have as robust cybersecurity protocols as Israel and the United States, according to Palmer’s report.
In the United Kingdom, authorities have warned organizations to “take action” to protect against cyberattacks following the outbreak of hostilities.
Meanwhile, cyber operations have already featured in the opening stages of the conflict in the Middle East.
According to the Reuters, numerous apps used by Iranians found themselves hacked on Saturday as the U.S. and Isreal began military operations.
A new blog post from Sophos also addressed the threat.
The British cybersecurity company warned that periods of conflict in the Middle East have correlated with an increase in cyberthreats.
“During heightened tensions, Iran-linked actors have shown a willingness to conduct disruptive and psychologically oriented operations,” their March 2 post stated. “Organizations should review detection, incident response, and resiliency measures accordingly.”
