North Alabama Primary Target if Russia Launches Cyberattack

Law enforcement agencies and companies across the country are being warned to stay alert, as federal officials believe Russia could launch a cyberattack if he U.S. follows through on its threat to issue sanctions against Russia if the country invades Ukraine. (According to abc Waay 31) Even the Department of Homeland security is on high alert especially as U.S. leaders debate whether or not to impose sanctions on Russia. And it wouldn’t be the first time the U.S. has faced a cyberattack due to sanctions. An example illustrated in the article spoke of 2013, when Iran hacked and overwhelmed U.S. banks after the U.S. imposed sanctions for the country’s lack of cooperation when it came to developing nuclear weapons. 

Experts from the same article explained that they expect something as big as the Colonial Pipeline shutdown to occur, if not bigger. Expert on the topic Jay Town, VP of Grey Analytics says that North Alabama is one of the biggest targets for cyberattacks because several defense contractors are in the area. The Department of Homeland Security said that Russia tries to gain access to critical infrastructure in the U.S. so main targets will be banks, utilities, and hospitals. Making the sense that this war won’t affect us downright untrue.

"There won't be — in the near future, anyway — a more critical time to practice cyber-hygiene than right now," Town said.

What to look out for:

1.    Emails: Avoid emails from people you don’t know, use work on computers solely for work.

2.    Talk to your companies leaders and send them this article if you think you are at risk.

3.    Close gaps now by hunting threats on your networks early. (As they may have already been hacked but not know it yet)