Iranian Cyber-Campaign Lays Groundwork for Sabotage, Researchers Say

While many groups linked to nation states have conducted cyber-espionage operations against other countries and their industries, a study finding that Iranian hackers had allegedly infiltrated the networks of global critical infrastructure firms has caused concern among security experts.

Dubbed Operation Cleaver, the widespread attacks have affected educational institutions, airports and airlines, government agencies and a smattering of sensitive industries such as aerospace, computer technology and telecommunications, according to security firm Cylance, which published the report.

The collection of sensitive industries affected by the attacks—when viewed against the backdrop of the destructive 2012 Shamoon attack against Saudi Aramco, which was also thought to have been conducted by Iran—is worrisome, Jon Miller, vice president of strategy for Cylance, told eWEEK.