Overview

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that US involvement in the Israel-Iran clash would amount to all-out war, heightening the likelihood of Iranian cyber reprisals.
• Digital security veteran James Knight says Iranian hackers have already embedded malware in US systems slated for disruptive, revenge-driven activations against critical infrastructure.
• Former White House CIO Theresa Payton points to Iran’s past operations, including 2016 denial-of-service attacks on major banks and a foiled 2022 plot targeting Boston Children’s Hospital.
• Potential targets span energy grids, financial networks, water and utility services and healthcare systems to maximize visibility and disruption.
• While US cybersecurity teams are bolstered by experienced professionals, experts urge Americans to strengthen defenses with unique passwords, multi-factor authentication and vigilance against phishing.