Iranian cyber-attack on a US children’s
FBI Director Christopher Wray recently revealed that the bureau’s cyber squad was successfully able to thwart an August 2021 Iran-sponsored attack targeting Boston’s Children Hospital computer network.
This attempt is a yet another example in a growing list of hospitals, among other critical public and private infrastructures, targeted by hackers.
While no specifics have been revealed regarding the nature of the attempted attack, we do know that the FBI received a tip from an intelligence partner indicating that Boston Children’s hospital was the target of a large scale terror attack. The FBI notified the hospital which was then able to identify and proactively mitigate the threat.
What this case study does clearly demonstrate is the importance of inter-agency and mutual communication and cooperation between private companies and national authorities in thwarting potential large scale cyber attacks. Available intelligence coupled with a quick and efficient response from both the FBI allowed Boston Children’s Hospital to protect its networks and prevent damage to both the hospital infrastructure and, more importantly, to the patients themselves.
In addition, we understand that there is a need to incorporate cyber defense into the national defense strategy. Furthermore, we must recognize that taking proper preemptive measures and investing sufficient resources aimed at enhancing preparedness and boosting defense against cyber threats will not only significantly contribute to thwarting attacks before they occur as well as a quicker recovery time and return to normal operations in the event that an attack is successfully carried out.
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