Iran’s cyber capabilities: 'They know more about Israel than we do'
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The Economist highlighted a significant surge in cyberattacks against "Israel" since October 7, noting a threefold increase, particularly from Iranian sources.
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Illustrative: A person sitting in front of computer equipment. (Al Mayadeen)
The Economist reported that the frequency of cyberattacks against "Israel" has tripled since October 7th, with Iranian attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated and more precisely targeted.
Gaby Portnoy, head of the "Israel National Cyber Directorate" (INCD), told The Economist that these attackers are now more accurate, gather better intelligence, and often know more about "Israel" than the entity itself.
"They know more about Israel, sometimes, than we do," he stressed.
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None of the attacks, as per The Economist, have succeeded in disrupting critical infrastructure like power or water systems, partly due to the installation of digital sensors within key networks after October 7. Many of the intrusions were focused on espionage and others as part of information warfare, the report added.
However, Iranian hackers were successful in procuring up to 500 gigabytes of patient data, including 100,000 medical records linked to Israeli soldiers.
Some Iran-linked hackers have posed as relatives of Israeli captives to deepen divisions within Israeli settler communities, as per the report.
It is worth noting that a recent study by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv revealed these hackers have developed a nuanced understanding of "Israel’s social and political fractures", tailoring messages separately to those who support and oppose the Israeli war on Gaza.
"Iran," said Portnoy as quoted by The Economist, "in a click of a button could have superpower capabilities."
Read more: Free Palestinian detainees or Israeli security data be sold: Hackers
