Politics ,
Feb 13, 05:15
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CNN: US authorities prepare to repel cyberattacks from Russia as Ukraine escalates
Photo: Silas Stein / DPA / TASS
Representatives of the White House, US intelligence, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other agencies discussed preparations for repelling cyber attacks that could be carried out in the United States and Ukraine. About it informs CNN, citing sources in the US administration.
According to the interlocutors of the TV channel, the meeting at the interdepartmental level took place on Friday, February 11, in the format of a videoconference. It discussed what measures the US leadership, in cooperation with private companies, can take in various areas of the economy in the event of “potentially possible attacks by cybercriminals or state-linked” hackers.
In addition, they discussed “a possible increase in the number of ransomware attacks on American companies”, which allegedly could be carried out by “Russian-speaking hackers”. The issue of providing support in the field of cybersecurity to Ukraine was also raised, where, according to sources, there is a “concrete, credible threat” of attacks on infrastructure facilities. There is no such threat in the United States at the moment, the CNN source clarified, stressing that the administration is working on steps in case the situation changes for the worse.
In mid-January, unknown hackers attacked at least 70 state websites of Ukraine, including the portals of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Sports, and other departments. They appeared appeal in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, the authors of which called on Ukrainian citizens “to be afraid and expect the worst.” In Ukraine, they believe that Russia was involved in the incident. The United States said that the attack was carried out “according to the Russian scheme.”
Moscow denies any involvement in cyberattacks, and also claims that it has no aggressive plans towards Kiev.