It is not news that cyber risks are on the rise and attacking businesses every day, but since U.S. airstrikes killed Iranian military official Qasem Soleimani last Friday at Bagdhad’s airport, top intelligence officials are warning of heightened cyber threats from Iran here in the states.
Following the strike, the Department of Homeland Security issued a National Terror Advisory System Alert Bulletin to warn of the potential for cybercrime from Iran as well as Iran’s notable history and capability in the cybercrime world.
“[This] crisis highlights how volatile cyber risk can be, materializing and escalating almost overnight,” Tom Reagan, U.S. cyber practice leader at Marsh, noted.
For businesses, the threat for cybercrime should always be taken seriously. “The possibility of a retaliatory attack should be viewed as an immediate and urgent challenge for businesses,” Reagan added.
Because of how easily it could upset the U.S. economy, businesses are expected to be a major target of Iranian hackers. This means businesses need to be on high alert for cyber attack now more than ever. American corporations have frequently been the victim of Iranian cybercrime in the past. Iranian hackers even orchestrated attacks on some of the largest U.S. financial institutions between 2012 and 2013, including giants like Bank of America, Citigroup, and more.
Now that the tension is exceptionally high between the U.S. and Iran, it’s best to remain aware, wise, and mindful in the tech world, as always. What precautions can you take? Always remember to keep your business data backed up and secure, never open suspicious files or links, and keep yourself and any employees informed.
Check out our blog for more handy tips on practicing the best cybersecurity possible, and more information about this incident can be found below:
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/01/04/acting-secretary-wolf-issues-homeland-security-ntas-bulletin
Let’s stay safe out there!
- The PJ Networks Team
