US Cyber Attack Disabled Iran’s Ability To Target Shipping

The United States attacked and disabled a critical Iranian database used to target oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, according to the New York Times, citing several US security officials. The cyber strike on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence group diminished Iran’s ability to conduct covert attacks, the report quoted a senior official as saying. 

The attack destroyed a critical database, and at least temporarily prevented Iran from covertly targeting oil tankers.

The US launched the strike in July after Iran shot down an American drone. US President Donald Trump had called off a military strike 10 minutes it was to be carried out after being told some 150 people could die.

“I didn’t think it was proportionate,” he said in an interview at the time with NBC News. Instead, the US carried out a cyber-attack, part of a long-running cyber war between the US and Iran. The Stuxnet virus, discovered in 2010, is believed to have been engineered by Israel and the US to damage nuclear facilities in Iran. Tehran is believed to have stepped up its own cyber capabilities in the face of US efforts to isolate the Islamic Republic.

The report said that though the effects of the most recent operation were designed to be temporary, they have lasted longer than expected and Iran is still trying to repair critical communications systems and has not recovered the data lost in the attack, officials said. However, some US officials were critical of the cyber-attack, saying that in carrying it out, the US had lost access to the Revolutionary Guard’s network and exposed some of its capabilities.

The New York Times also said earlier reports that the hack targeted Iran’s ability to launch missiles was incorrect. The report said Iran has yet to respond to the cyber-attack although Iran has denied it was the victim of a cyber-attack in the wake of the drone downing.

Tensions between the US and Iran soared after Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers over a year ago.

This has meant that Iran has recently lost billions of dollars in trade previously allowed by the deal as the US re-imposed and created sanctions largely blocking Tehran from selling crude oil abroad, a crucial source of hard currency for the Islamic Republic.

In July Gibraltar seized an Iranian tanker, Grace 1, believed to be on its way to Syria with a sanctions breaking shipment. Iran has since changed the boat’s name to the Adrian Darya. and the vessel was released.Meanwhile, Iran continues to hold the British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero, which it seized in a commando-style raid July 19 after the taking of the Adrian Darya. Analysts suggested the release of the Adrian Darya would see the Stena Impero released, but that has yet to happen.

TimesOf Israel:        AntiWar

You Might Also Read:

US Cyber Strike On Iran Is A Step Change:

 

 

« One in Four Workers Would Steal Company Information
A Major Breach In Biometrics Security Database »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Swivel Secure

Swivel Secure

Swivel Secure is an award winning provider of multi-factor authentication solutions.

ClearDATA

ClearDATA

The ClearDATA Managed Cloud protects sensitive healthcare data using purpose-built DevOps automation, compliance and security safeguards, and healthcare expertise.

OGiTiX

OGiTiX

OGiTiX Software AG is a German software manufacturer specializing in Identity and Access Management.

Ataya & Partners

Ataya & Partners

Ataya & Partners is a consulting company that delivers data protection, cybersecurity and IT & Digital governance services.

Deep Mirror Automotive Cybersecurity

Deep Mirror Automotive Cybersecurity

Deep Mirror Automotive Cybersecurity make Cars & Infrastructures Cybersecure.

Zilla Security

Zilla Security

Zilla combines identity governance with cloud security to deliver comprehensive access visibility, reviews, lifecycle management, and policy-based security remediation.

Goldilock

Goldilock

Goldilock is redefining how sensitive data, devices, networks and critical infrastructure can be secured.

Telindus

Telindus

Telindus is the strategic IT partner for the flexible organization of the future. We build optimal IT infrastructure with four components: networking, cloud, cybersecurity and data & AI.

Allstate Identity Protection

Allstate Identity Protection

Allstate make it easy to provide complete identity protection, so everyone can live more confidently online.

OneCollab

OneCollab

OneCollab, your unwavering ally in the dynamic landscape of IT services and cybersecurity.

Star Lab

Star Lab

Star Lab specializes in the development and productization of embedded security technologies.

Qryptonic

Qryptonic

Qryptonic pioneers next-generation cybersecurity by leveraging the unparalleled capabilities of quantum computing to defend against evolving threats.

CASwell

CASwell

Caswell is an industry-leading OEM/ODM specializing in networking, security, SD-WAN, NFV, telecommunication and IoT applications.

CYNC Secure

CYNC Secure

CYNC boosts cybersecurity remediation by consolidating fragmented data and optimizing operational processes.

Arms Cyber

Arms Cyber

Arms Cyber is redefining ransomware defense with advanced solutions that stop attacks before they start.

Cygence

Cygence

Cygence is a cyber security consultancy providing independent expertise and tailored security solutions.