This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/us-middle-east-allies-cyber-iran

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US assisting Middle Eastern allies against cyber threats from Iran US assisting Middle Eastern allies against cyber threats from Iran
(4 months later)
The US is assisting Middle East allies in building up cyber defences to counter growing attacks from Iran, it was reported on Sunday.The US is assisting Middle East allies in building up cyber defences to counter growing attacks from Iran, it was reported on Sunday.
The New York Times, citing senior American officials, said computer software, hardware and training was being provided to pro-Washington countries in the Persian Gulf to diffuse the growing threat from Tehran.The New York Times, citing senior American officials, said computer software, hardware and training was being provided to pro-Washington countries in the Persian Gulf to diffuse the growing threat from Tehran.
Plans to bolster the computer defences of US allies will be extended to parts of Asia in a bid to blunt the perceived threat of network attacks from North Korea.Plans to bolster the computer defences of US allies will be extended to parts of Asia in a bid to blunt the perceived threat of network attacks from North Korea.
The Obama administration has long been believed to have been involved in cyberwarfare against Tehran, with earlier reports suggesting the president ordered a series of sophisticated attacks on the computer systems that run the country's nuclear programme.The Obama administration has long been believed to have been involved in cyberwarfare against Tehran, with earlier reports suggesting the president ordered a series of sophisticated attacks on the computer systems that run the country's nuclear programme.
On Friday, the Guardian further revealed that Obama had set up a list of potential overseas targets for US cyber-attacks. The leaked directive authorises the use of cyber-attacks on foreign nations whenever "US nationals interests and equities" are at stake, and specifies that cyber warfare can be used as "anticipatory action" against "imminent threats".On Friday, the Guardian further revealed that Obama had set up a list of potential overseas targets for US cyber-attacks. The leaked directive authorises the use of cyber-attacks on foreign nations whenever "US nationals interests and equities" are at stake, and specifies that cyber warfare can be used as "anticipatory action" against "imminent threats".
The New York Times article suggests that accompanying a more aggressive approach to conducting cyberwarfare, Washington is looking to thwart attacks from regimes hostile to the US.The New York Times article suggests that accompanying a more aggressive approach to conducting cyberwarfare, Washington is looking to thwart attacks from regimes hostile to the US.
The catalyst to boosting the defences of allies seems to have been two recent high-profile attacks – one against Saudi Arabia's oil industry, thought have been conducted from Iran, and an alleged North Korean hack of banks and media companies in South Korea.The catalyst to boosting the defences of allies seems to have been two recent high-profile attacks – one against Saudi Arabia's oil industry, thought have been conducted from Iran, and an alleged North Korean hack of banks and media companies in South Korea.
A US official told the New York Times that the Iranian attack was "a real wake-up call" which prompted the Pentagon to draw up proposals to provide allies with better computer defences.A US official told the New York Times that the Iranian attack was "a real wake-up call" which prompted the Pentagon to draw up proposals to provide allies with better computer defences.
It comes as Iran attempts to hire computer programmers associated with illegal hacking, some from Russia.It comes as Iran attempts to hire computer programmers associated with illegal hacking, some from Russia.
The US is not the only country to express concern over Tehran's apparent increased attack on cyber security.The US is not the only country to express concern over Tehran's apparent increased attack on cyber security.
On Sunday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of carrying out "non-stop" attacks on its computer systems.On Sunday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of carrying out "non-stop" attacks on its computer systems.
"In the past few months, we have identified a significant increase in the scope of cyber-attacks on Israel by Iran. These attacks are carried out directly by Iran and through its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah," he told a conference in Tel Aviv."In the past few months, we have identified a significant increase in the scope of cyber-attacks on Israel by Iran. These attacks are carried out directly by Iran and through its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah," he told a conference in Tel Aviv.
He added that "vital national systems" had been targeted and that water, power and banking sites were under threat from the attacks.He added that "vital national systems" had been targeted and that water, power and banking sites were under threat from the attacks.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.