Cyber-attacks targeting Bahrain and its Gulf neighbours have skyrocketed eight-fold this month in the wake of the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran, security experts have warned.
Hacktivists aligned with Tehran have dramatically ramped up Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) strikes across the Middle East, capitalising on the chaos of the widening regional conflict.
Data released by cybersecurity firm StormWall showed that between March 1 and 20, the volume of these malicious traffic attacks surged by a staggering 800 per cent compared to February.
The digital campaign has heavily targeted Israel (accounting for 36pc of all recorded strikes), followed by the UAE at 21pc, and Bahrain holding a concerning 14pc share of the regional onslaught.
Analysts noted that the campaign unfolded in distinct waves. Hackers initially opened with a barrage of digital fire on Israeli government systems and telecom networks. They then expanded their crosshairs to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, specifically targeting nations with close American ties or those hosting US military installations.
The heaviest hits have landed squarely on the public sector, banking, and telecommunications.
“The volume of DDoS traffic currently hitting the Middle East is unlike anything we’ve seen before even during past periods of heavy geopolitical tension,” said StormWall founder Ramil Khantimirov.
“This is a highly organised, targeted, and growing campaign that will likely continue to escalate. If you have digital infrastructure in the region that is not properly protected, now is the time to act.”
With regional volatility showing no signs of cooling down, experts warn that the coming months will likely bring even more frequent and powerful digital strikes against critical infrastructure.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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