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Iran's Cyber Offensive Targets the West

(Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council) Oved Lobel - Iran has been running influence operations via its International Union of Virtual Media for years. Using dozens of websites, YouTube accounts and hundreds of social media profiles across multiple platforms, the IUVM laundered pro-Iran talking points through "alternative" media channels in at least 11 languages. Facebook, Twitter and Google have been working to remove traces of the IUVM on their platforms. A recent investigation into the intelligence fiasco between 2009 and 2013 that ended in the murder of dozens of CIA informants and the roll-up of U.S. intelligence networks in China, revealed the compromise actually began in Iran. "Iran's cyber activities have been the most consequential, costly and aggressive in the history of the internet, more so than Russia," said a former national intelligence manager for Iran at the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In 2013, hackers linked to Iran penetrated the networks of U.S. power producer Calpine Corps and stole enough information to disrupt the energy grid and shut down power plants. Beginning in 2011, hackers working for two Iranian security companies launched co-ordinated attacks against the U.S. financial system. The writer is a policy analyst at AIJAC.
2018-11-26 00:00:00
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