Iranian cyber strike on U.S. Navy bad for newfound diplomacy

President Obama announces momentous phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Iranian hackers eavesdrop on U.S. Navy Internet communications.

“The good news is that the Navy doesn't think any important information was stolen in the hack,” reports Gizmodo.

But, according to The Wall Street Journal, this was "one of the most serious infiltrations of U.S. government computer systems by Iran" that "showed a more potent Iranian hacking capability than previously believed and suggested they have the ability to access military data."

The compromise apparently took place in recent weeks.

The attackers, believed to be supported by the Iranian government, “penetrated an unclassified computer network that is used for email and the service's internal intranet,” the Journal reports.

Iran's hacking capabilities have sharpened dramatically during the past year, likely due to alliances with Russian cyber crooks, according to the newspaper.

The series of infiltrations revealed a vulnerability in the network, called the Navy Marine Corps Intranet, which was undergoing upgrades. Once the hackers entered the system, they were able to exploit security weaknesses to penetrate more deeply into the unclassified network.

There is no link suspected between ex-NMCI contractor Aaron Alexis, the alleged shooter in the Navy Yard attacks on Sept. 16, and the timing of the intrusions. 

“Some officials briefed on the infiltration said intruders relied on a relatively unsophisticated method to gain entry. The officials said the military's network security—even on unclassified systems—is best calibrated for defending against more sophisticated attacks,” the Journal reports.

Sept. 27 marked the first direct talks between the leaders of the United States and Iran since 1979. 

Obama and Rouhani are preparing for historic nuclear discussions that could alter the course of U.S.-Iranian relations significantly.

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