What You Need to Know
• Federal prosecutors in New York charged 17 Iranians with cyber intrusions targeting U.S. institutions.
• The hackers infiltrated 144 universities, 42 companies, and five government agencies since 2013.
• The indictment states they stole over 31 terabytes of academic data and intellectual property.
On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald announced that federal prosecutors charged 17 Iranians with executing a coordinated campaign of cyber intrusions against various U.S.-based universities, companies, and government agencies. The indictment alleges that these hackers, associated with an Iran-based company, infiltrated 144 universities, 42 private-sector companies, five federal and state agencies, and at least two non-governmental organizations since 2013. Prosecutors claim that the intrusions were conducted on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, resulting in the theft of more than 31 terabytes of academic data and intellectual property, including employees’ email accounts. Notably, nine of the defendants had previously faced similar charges.
Why It Matters
This case highlights ongoing cybersecurity threats posed by state-sponsored actors, particularly from Iran, targeting U.S. institutions. The actions of these hackers are part of a broader pattern of cyber intrusions aimed at stealing sensitive academic and intellectual property. The U.S. government has previously warned about potential cyber threats, including attacks on water systems linked to Iranian actors. This indictment reflects a significant effort by U.S. authorities to combat foreign cyber threats and protect national security interests.
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