“From a timing perspective, it’s now or never,” said Pavel Gurvich, founder and CEO of\u00a0cybersecurity<\/a> startup Tenzai<\/a>. “In that sense, the danger is meaningfully higher.”<\/p>\n Gurvich said Iran may have stored capabilities and is waiting for a high-risk moment to launch.<\/p>\n Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on the region over the weekend, Iran has stepped up retaliatory strikes, hitting U.S. bases, embassies<\/a> and major hubs, including Tel Aviv, Doha, and Dubai.<\/p>\n The looming threat of an Iran-linked cyberattack poses a critical risk to the U.S. at a time when the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the leading readiness body, is grappling with a partial government shutdown, furloughs, and a management reshuffle that could hinder its ability to counteract an attack.<\/p>\n CISA turmoil<\/p>\n U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security,” on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 3, 2026. <\/p>\n Kevin Lamarque | Reuters<\/p>\n U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem<\/a> said in a statement this week that DHS is working with federal intelligence and law enforcement partners to “closely monitor and thwart” any potential U.S. threats.<\/p>\n The agency has reportedly lost<\/a> about a third of its employees since Trump took office, and Madhu Gottumukkala, its temporary director, was reassigned to another division of DHS last week. <\/p>\n During Gottumukkala’s tenure, he clashed with staff and ended major contracts, Politico reported<\/a>. He also came under scrutiny for uploading sensitive documents to ChatGPT and failed a polygraph test administered by CISA staff when he sought access to records.<\/p>\n Chief Information Officer Bob Costello announced this week on LinkedIn<\/a> that he was “stepping away from federal service.” Politico previously reported<\/a> that Costello had been asked to resign or accept a different position within DHS.<\/p>\n As of Tuesday afternoon, CISA’s website<\/a> said it was last updated on Feb. 17 due to a “lapse in federal funding” and is not being actively managed. <\/p>\n DHS<\/a> said Feb. 17 that the agency would cancel cybersecurity assessments, among other trainings and engagements. <\/p>\n “As the lapse goes on, CISA’s lack of involvement in these key areas will lead to a future threat or an increased area of weakness,” its website reads.<\/p>\n Lawmakers have also flagged concerns about the U.S. preparedness as the shutdown drags on. <\/p>\n House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole<\/a> wrote last month that CISA’s personnel are already “stretched thin” and that a shutdown would hinder the country’s ability to protect critical infrastructure and hospitals.<\/p>\n Even during the country’s ongoing Internet shutdown<\/a>, cybersecurity experts said groups will continue to operate through proxies and VPNs.<\/p>\n CrowdStrike<\/a>‘s counter-adversary operations lead, Adam Meyers, said Monday that the Austin-based firm had seen a surge in claims of network and server disruptions from Iran-linked groups that could target financial sectors and critical infrastructure. <\/p>\n John\u00a0Hultquist, chief analyst of Google<\/a>‘s Threat Intelligence Group, told CNBC in a statement Tuesday that while Iran has a history of exaggerating attacks, and claims should be taken with a “grain of salt,” they could seriously impact businesses.<\/p>\n JPMorgan Chase<\/a> CEO Jamie Dimon<\/a> told CNBC’s Leslie Picker on Monday that banks may be targets and said he expects a rise in cyber or terrorist attacks globally.<\/p>\n “We always try to prepare for that,” he said, adding that he considers cyber “one of the highest risks banks bear.”<\/p>\n Iran has proved it can break through against U.S. targets and in 2024 claimed responsibility for hacking the emails of several staffers tied to President Donald Trump<\/a>‘s campaign<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Defense](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/108272814-17725534231772553417-44329372235-1080pnbcnews.jpg\")
Rising cyber threat<\/p>\n