Cyber Power Rise of Iran - Commentary by US General
The United States Air Force is planning to bolster its cybersecurity efforts by expanding its workforce by 1,000 people, as reported by Air Force General William Shelton. This move comes amidst growing concerns over cyber threats from countries like Iran, which has been accused of launching attacks on various targets, including the BBC's Persian service and several major US banks.
Last year, the BBC's Persian service was hit by a "sophisticated cyber-attack" from Iran, aiming to block its television services from entering the country. However, no specific details about this attack were provided. Similarly, Iran's government has denied any involvement in the denial of service attacks on several major US banks between September and December last year, as reported by its mission to the United Nations.
The US government, led by James Lewis, a former state official and computer expert, is firm in its belief that Iran is behind these attacks. This belief is based on Iran's boosted online defenses since the Stuxnet attack in 2010, a joint effort primarily involving the United States and Israel, as reported by The New York Times in June last year. The Stuxnet worm, specifically designed to interfere with the Iranian Natanz uranium enrichment facility's centrifuges, was discovered in June 2010.
General Shelton stated that Iran has the potential to develop capabilities that could pose a threat to the United States. He further asserted that Iran is becoming "a force to be reckoned with" in cyberspace. The US Pentagon, in its ongoing efforts to protect its digital infrastructure, is repelling millions of cyber attacks every day.
In response to these accusations, Iran's government has claimed that it respects international law and does not target other nations' economic or financial institutions. However, the specific details about the banks targeted in the denial of service attacks were not provided.
The development of the Stuxnet malware was a collaborative effort involving key intelligence agencies like the NSA, CIA, and Israeli intelligence from the mid-2000s before the worm appeared in the Iranian Natanz uranium enrichment facility in June 2010.
As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, the US Air Force's decision to expand its cyber workforce is a strategic move to ensure the protection of its digital assets and maintain its cybersecurity posture. The ongoing cyber conflicts between nations serve as a reminder of the increasing importance of cybersecurity in today's digital age.
