Iran has a history of sophisticated cyberattacks in response to increased tensions.

In a new client alert, our Data Privacy & Cybersecurity team recommends a thorough review of your people, facilities, networks and data procedures in response to this increased threat environment.

The current Iran-US tensions follow a lethal US drone strike in Iraq that killed Iran’s top military general, as well as an allied Iraqi military commander. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that “harsh retaliation is waiting” and launched a series of missile attacks early January 8 (local time) against two Iraqi bases housing US troops, in Erbil and AlAsad Air Base. While Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, tweeted after the attacks that, “we do not seek escalation of war,” it is unclear whether further retaliatory action will be taken by Iran directly or by its allies in the region.

Of all the tools Tehran has to retaliate, including its large military, Iranian-backed proxies around the Middle East and robust disinformation operations, international experts believe there is a strong likelihood that Iran will utilize its well-known cyber-warfare capabilities to inflict further damage over time.

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