Cyber Attacks as Retaliation
U.S. officials are on alert for retaliatory cyberattacks in response to the US-Isreal strikes in Iran. State-sponsored hacking groups and “hacktivists” have notoriously caused cyber disruption as a type of asymmetrical attack. Hacktivists often target government organizations, financial institutions and high-tech corporations. Here are a few notable examples of retaliatory cyberattacks we have seen:
Common Tactics
- Website Defacement: Website defacement occurs when unauthorized actors replace a site’s content with political, religious or inappropriate messages or a signature from the hacker claiming credit.
- Data Exposure: Also known as “hack-and-leak”, this cybercrime involves the hacker obtaining sensitive information to publicly release. This tactic often targets businesses, governments and high-ranking officials to tarnish their reputation and sway public opinion.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS): DDoS is when the attacker floods a server with traffic to disrupt an online service. This attack can also cause loss of business, and reputational damage to the company.
Recommended Measures
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforcing MFA is an easy way to add an extra layer of protection to your accounts. An additional verification step significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if your password was previously stolen.
- Privileged Access Management (PAM): PAM ensures that only authorized users can access elevated systems or data. Review privileged access sessions to monitor any possible suspicious activity.
- Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR): ITDR works to protect your data by detecting anomalies and responding to attacks in real time. When a breach occurs, ITDR ensures it is addressed with an automated response ready for deployment.
As we progress through the digital age, it is important to recognize the intersection of technology and politics. Retaliation from a bad actor can occur at different scales, affecting smaller companies for similar reasons. Experts suggest using multi-layered defenses to protect yourself from the wide array of tactics that may be used. Contact us at info@kazmarek.com to ensure that you are taking proactive steps to safeguard your business.