Iran's 'forceful revenge' against the US is likely to include cyber warfare, and experts warn cyberattacks could bring US infrastructure to a grinding halt
Cybersecurity experts warn that Iran spent years establishing itself as an "intelligent cyber opponent" and is likely to leverage cyberattacks against the US.Cyberattacks could target internet infrastructure, online banks, or even the US power grid.Iran's leaders vowed to exact "a forceful revenge" against the US Friday in response to an American drone strike that killed Iranian Quds Force head Qassem Soleimani.
"Iran is an intelligent cyber opponent with an army of people testing our systems every minute of every day. It is the ultimate game of cat and mouse," Sam Curry, chief security officer atHowever, the US has also focused heavily on building up its cyber defenses during that time, according to Kiersten Todt, former cybersecurity advisor to the Obama administration and managing director of the Cyber Readiness Institute.
Iran has focused heavily on building out its cyber warfare capabilities since 2010, when a cyberattack temporarily took down its nuclear facilities.Space Imaging Middle East/Getty Images "Anything they have targeted in any country could potentially be fair game in any other country," Curry said.A power grid in a Brooklyn neighborhood across from Manhattan in New York City.."Imagine if financial transactions could not be completed or if the Stock Exchange was not operational because of a cyber-attack. The Ripples could be felt globally."
"There is often too little emphasis on facing the truth that intelligent, motivated, equipped opponents will eventually succeed and that requires planning to both minimize damage and to return to normal operations as rapidly as possible," Curry said."This is far too often neglected."
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