department of homeland security flag

DHS Warns of Iran’s Potential To Retaliate With Cyber Attacks, Terrorist Acts After Soleimani Killing

The department warned in an alert that Iran has a “robust cyber program” and can carry out attacks to temporarily disrupt critical infrastructure.

In the days after Iran’s top military leader, Qassim Suleimani, was killed in an American drone strike, the country’s leadership has promised revenge on the U.S. Now, top government officials anticipate that Iran’s retaliation may take the form of a cyber attack on major computer systems.

Christopher Krebs, the head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security, warned on Jan. 2 that the threats to the public go beyond attacks on the federal government.

“Pay close attention to your critical systems,” Krebs wrote on Twitter. “Make sure you’re also watching third party accesses!”

While the department’s acting secretary, Chad Wolf, said in the days after the drone attack that there are no “specific, credible threats” to the U.S., it’s clear that cybersecurity leaders are concerned about the possibility of an Iranian attack. DHS went on to issue an alert of a terrorism threat to the U.S. on Jan. 4, detailing specific aspects of Iran’s capabilities.

As of Monday afternoon, no official cyber attack had been reported as coming from an established Iranian government-based hacking group. But the attack “may come with little or no warning,” the DHS warned, particularly after Suleimani’s funeral on Monday.

ZDNet reported that there have been some low-level cyber attacks over the weekend that involved the defacement of about 20 websites, including that of a government site for the Federal Depository Library Program. The attacks did not appear to originate from government-backed hacking groups.

The DHS alert referenced Iran’s efforts in the past to scope out terrorist acts against the U.S., including “scouting and planning against infrastructure targets and cyber enabled attacks against a range of U.S.-based targets.”

Some critics of the Trump administration fear that DHS is not well prepared to handle a widespread security threat thanks to its increased focus on immigration, a priority of President Trump.

John Cohen, a former acting under security in the DHS who led efforts to counter Iran, said a comprehensive plan must be developed to address the growing threat. He is doubtful that the plan will be developed in concert with local governments.

“There has been real concern that the focus on immigration enforcement and the border wall have degraded our capabilities to address not only the threat posed by domestic terrorists but sophisticated threats like this,” Cohen told The New York Times. “Time will only tell.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.