How Big a Threat Are Iranian-Backed Cyber Attacks?

"The CISA advisory noted that the Iranian-linked cyber actors were 'conducting this activity to cause disruptive effects within the United States,' serving as a reminder of the expanded battlefield in the digital age."

"Conventional warfare tends to be time-limited, while nation-state hacking is a constant feature of geopolitics, with Iranian actors infiltrating U.S. critical infrastructure for years."

"Water systems are especially vulnerable because they often lack basic cybersecurity protection, as highlighted by past incidents involving Iranian-backed hackers breaching U.S. water systems."

On April 7th, CISA warned that Iranian cyber actors accessed programmable logic controllers used in critical U.S. infrastructure. This incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury and amid a fragile ceasefire. The advisory emphasized the disruptive intent of these cyber activities. Unlike conventional warfare, nation-state hacking is a persistent threat. Iranian hackers have targeted U.S. infrastructure for years, with past breaches including a dam in New York and a water system in Pennsylvania. Water systems are particularly vulnerable due to inadequate cybersecurity measures.

Read at The New Yorker