Washington, DC – Today, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment that charges seven Iranian nationals with conducting a campaign of cyber attacks against the United States on behalf of the Iranian government. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the announcement:
“I applaud the Department of Justice for its efforts to halt sophisticated cyber attacks sponsored by the Government of Iran that targeted our financial institutions and critical infrastructure,” said Whitehouse. “It is critically important that the American people understand the scope and severity of the cyber threat that we face. Unsealing this indictment, and exposing the hostile acts allegedly undertaken by these Iranian operatives, is an important step in that direction.”
A leader in the Senate on cybersecurity issues, Senator Whitehouse has worked to update the nation’s cybercrime laws and to give prosecutors the tools they need to fight cybercrime. Among other initiatives, Senator Whitehouse has proposed legislation that would give prosecutors greater authority to shut down botnets like the one allegedly used by the Iranian operatives to attack U.S. financial institutions.
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