Federal officials and cybersecurity experts warn of increased risk for cyber attacks amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
While there are no specific credible threats against the homeland, the Department of Homeland Security on June 22 warned of low-level cyber attacks amid a "heightened threat environment." Experts told USA TODAY public infrastructure and the private sector could be potential targets, although large-scale cyber attacks are unlikely.
"Cyber attacks are pretty much standard fare in today’s world of conflicts," said Anton Dahbura, executive director of the Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute. "So cyber attacks are definitely on the menu of options."
The cyber attack warnings come after President Donald Trump on June 21 ordered airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran officials have warned of retaliation after the airstrikes, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi saying his country would consider all possible responses.
The first came on June 23, when Iran targeted a U.S. military base in Qatar.
