US Cities and Federal Agencies Heighten Vigilance Amid Israel-Iran Tensions: What You Need to Know

CHICAGO (WLS) — In the wake of recent U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran, authorities across the country are ramping up security measures, anticipating potential retaliatory actions from Iran. The heightened alert focuses on two primary concerns: the threat to soft civilian targets by lone wolves or individuals motivated by terrorist groups, and the possibility of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure in the United States.

“Iran has previously engaged in four types of cyberattacks that we might expect to see again,” explained Jake Braun, a former senior counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, who now leads the Cyber Policy Initiative at the University of Chicago. “These include targeting our banking systems, disrupting the oil supply chain, attacking essential infrastructure like water systems, and spreading misinformation or disinformation during elections. Given their past activities, it’s reasonable to anticipate similar threats moving forward.”

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In an interview with the I-Team, Braun recounted his early experiences at the White House, including a trip to Pittsburgh in 2023 following an Iranian cyberattack on a water treatment facility.

“Our critical infrastructure remains highly susceptible to attacks,” Braun noted. “Iran often targets outdated systems that are vulnerable due to lack of updates or are too old to receive patches. These are weak points, and unfortunately, they form the backbone of much of our critical infrastructure.”

The United States has already witnessed the extent of Iran’s cyber capabilities—a nation capable of inciting significant disruption with mere keystrokes.

After Operation Midnight Hammer last year, designed to obliterate Iranian nuclear capabilities, Tehran-backed hackers targeted U.S. banks, defense contractors and oil companies.

And, Braun underscored that if they’re not, businesses should be on high alert.

Jake Cho, a professor of Cyber Security at Lewis University, explained the concern.

“They have new AI weapons. So, the investment to the, for the secure infrastructure, there’s no finish. So, we have to assign some certain amount of budget, continuously improve the overall security control. That is only way we can reduce, manage the risk,” Cho said.

Cho said that the United States’ deep reliance on networked systems for vital industries, like telecommunications, water and power creates efficiency, but remains at risk.

“Any vulnerability in software or formula, in any type of hardware, of course, it can be additional vulnerability,” he said

In Springfield, the I-Team has seen firsthand the Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center, also known as STIC, working 24/7 to analyze threats, claims of bombs in public places and the ongoing risk from foreign terror groups of domestic lone wolf strikes.

“Iran and its allies have a long history of radicalizing individuals across the world, whether they be in the U.S. or Europe or elsewhere, and encouraging them to take violent action against soft targets in those countries,” Braun said

STIC does not have any specific information that any individuals, groups or sites in Illinois are being targeted for possible attacks.

Braun said the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA, is relaunching its “shields up” campaign, asking individuals and corporations to be hypervigilant as this war with Iran unfolds.