The US government has issued a fresh warning about possible cyberattacks from Iran-linked hackers aimed at critical infrastructure. In a joint alert, four major agencies—the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the FBI, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Department of Defense—urged organizations to take strong defensive measures.
Officials expressed concern that US involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran could lead to retaliatory cyber actions. According to the advisory, hackers tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have previously targeted Western infrastructure, especially during military escalations like Israel’s 2023 offensive in Gaza.
These hackers have already compromised operational technology that supports services such as water utilities in the US. The alert also mentioned hack-and-leak operations that led to financial losses and damage to reputations.
The advisory warned that “hacktivists and Iranian-government-affiliated actors routinely target poorly secured US networks and internet-connected devices for disruptive cyberattacks.” Common vulnerabilities include outdated or unpatched software and systems with default passwords.
In recent months, Iran-linked groups have defaced websites and leaked sensitive data. Following recent US air activity over Iran, officials believe these hacktivists are likely to increase distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on US and Israeli websites.
Cybersecurity experts say Iran often uses cyber operations not just for disruption but for psychological impact. One expert stated, “This cyber element is what lets them extend their reach and there’s an air of deniability to it.” Another added, “It’s important that we don’t overhype the threat here and give them the win they’re after.”
The joint advisory outlined several protective steps for organizations managing critical infrastructure. These include disconnecting operational technology from the internet, using strong passwords and phishing-resistant multifactor authentication, patching exposed systems, logging user activity, and having a well-prepared incident response plan.
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