Expect Iran to Launch Cyber-Attacks Globally, Warns Google
Expect Iran to Launch Cyber-Attacks Globally, Warns Google
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/iran-cyber-attacks-global-google/
Publish Date: 2026-03-02 10:45:00
Source Domain: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
Iran will “absolutely” respond to the US and Israeli air strikes with cyber-attacks against a wide range of targets in the Middle East and beyond, Google’s chief of cyber threat intelligence has warned.
John Hultquist, chief analyst of Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), made the comments at an event hosted by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) defense think tank in London.
The discussion was intended to focus on the threat of Russian cyber sabotage in Europe, but sudden escalation of the conflict in the Middle East saw much of the conversation focus around Iran and Iranian cyber capabilities.
Iran has long been classed as capable nation-state actor in cyberspace with a history of numerous cyber espionage and other malicious hacking campaigns against the West.
Since the conflict started, Iran has retaliated with missile strikes against several of its neighbors – including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait – all of which are home to US military bases.
Hultquist believes that these countries will inevitably find themselves being targeted by “aggressive” cyber-attacks by Iran.
“You’re not going to see some secret weapon; it won’t be very different from what we’ve seen going on for the last few years. What changes is the targeting,” he explained.
“Previously, we were talking about the targeting of a small state with an incredibly mature security capability [Israel]. Now we’re talking about a host of other targets, who may not have the same maturity. What that means is that we’re going to be forced to secure a very different attack surface globally.”
Hacktivist and Ransomware as a Front for Hostile State-Backed Cyber Action
Speaking to Infosecurity, Hultquist explained that there have long been blurred lines between the Iranian state and Iranian cybercriminal and hacktivist groups. “They’re really good at playing in this foggy space,”…
