Iranian-linked hackers have been targeting a widening range of critical infrastructure across the United States in recent weeks, including water systems, telecommunications networks, energy infrastructure and other essential systems, as concerns grow over a potential Iranian cyber campaign against the U.S.
Four people with access to government and industry cyberthreat information told NBC News that the latest attempts have focused on internet-connected automated and industrial systems. The recent attempts have so far been unsuccessful.
The latest activity follows a sweeping series of cyberattacks against American water infrastructure during July. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency later disclosed that more than 100 internet-exposed water and wastewater systems across 12 states were targeted during that campaign, significantly more than was initially known. The systems targeted included programmable logic controllers used by utilities to remotely monitor and control equipment.
Federal cybersecurity officials have previously warned that Iranian-affiliated actors have sought to exploit internet-connected operational technology used throughout U.S. critical infrastructure. Investigators have been particularly concerned about systems that are directly exposed to the internet, which can give hackers an opening to interfere with equipment used by utilities and other operators.
The threat has now been accompanied by an explicit warning from a hacking group calling itself APT IRAN. In a Telegram message, the group warned that the United States would soon witness “unexpected and critical events” involving the energy, water and telecommunications sectors. The warning came as cyber activity linked to Iran is drawing renewed scrutiny amid the escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Despite the scope of the activity, the newest attempted attacks have not succeeded in disrupting the targeted U.S. infrastructure, according to the sources familiar with the threat information.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
