Iranian-linked hackers have reportedly disrupted operations at a power plant in the UK for four days through a cyberattack.
The Daily Telegraph reported on August 22 that this incident marks the first known case of Iranian hackers successfully targeting a power plant in the UK, leading to an actual shutdown.
UK authorities have not disclosed the name or location of the affected power plant for security reasons. However, it is understood that the facility is small and did not impact the overall electricity supply or generation in the UK.
The Telegraph described this incident as one of the most significant achievements in Iran's cyberattacks against the UK.
This attack coincided with a series of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure in 12 US states last month. The FBI labeled the attackers as 'malicious cyber actors,' and subsequent reports indicated a strong likelihood that the attacks originated from Iran.
Since the Middle Eastern conflict, Iran has intensified its cyberattacks against Western nations, particularly following US and Israeli airstrikes that began in February. Cyberattacks attributed to Iran have also been reported in Germany, Poland, Finland, Belgium, and Albania.
The Telegraph analyzed that the attack likely aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of hackers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) by infiltrating critical infrastructure in the UK and causing operational disruptions, rather than directly harming civilians.
In response to the attack, the UK government shared relevant information with CEOs of major power companies and provided guidelines for addressing cyber threats. The incident has also been reported to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which operates under the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).
The NCSC stated that it had responded to over 200 cyberattacks targeting the UK's critical infrastructure in the past year alone.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed, 'This incident affected a small power facility, and at no point was the overall energy system at risk.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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