CyberCX Hack Report: Insights from a year of offensive security testing

Hamas-Israel conflict: Impacts for Australian and New Zealand organisations

Intelligence Update

banner

Published by Cyber Intelligence 10 October 2023

 

On 8 October 2023, the Israeli Government formally declared war against Palestinian militant group, Hamas, in response to a surprise attack by Hamas that killed over 700 people. This Intelligence Update provides rapid situational awareness for Australian and New Zealand (AUNZ) organisations on the cyber implications of this conflict. CyberCX Intelligence is actively monitoring the Hamas-Israel conflict and will continue to provide updates, as required.

 


Key Points


 

Background

 

Hacktivists mobilised

 

 

 

Implications for AUNZ organisations

Increase of existing targeting of AUNZ by pro-Russia groups 

 

New targeting of AUNZ by ideologically-motivated groups

 

The spectre of destructive nation-state cyber attacks

 

[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-war-death-toll-gaza-strip-palestinians-israelis-latest-news-day-3/

[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-forces-clash-with-hamas-gunmen-after-hundreds-killed-2023-10-08/

[3] https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/08/israel-gaza-the-global-impact-of-the-escalating-conflict

[4] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-09/nsw-palestinian-rally-lakemba-sydney-israel-wong/102950238

[5] https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/police-to-jews-stay-away-from-sydney-opera-house-protest/news-story/29fd92eed36f6271f7f527645962c793

[6] https://cybercx.com.au/blog/how-russia-ukraine-conflict-is-reshaping-cyber-crime/

[7] Based on CyberCX Intelligence analysis of Telegram engagement.

[8] OpIsrael is an annual anti-Israel hacktivist campaign that launches coordinated DDoS attacks against Israeli government and private industry.

[9] The “opAustralia” campaign was initiated on 17 March by a purportedly Pakistani hacktivist group. The campaign was claimed as a response to clothing bearing the Arabic text “God walks with me” being displayed at the Melbourne Fashion Festival. The use of the Arabic ‘Allah’ (meaning God) prompted criticism based on the context in which it was used.

[10] www.smh.com.au%2Fpolitics%2Ffederal%2Faustralia-s-response-to-hamas-attacks-disappointing-says-palestinian-authority-20231008-p5eald.html

[11] https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/occupied-palestinian-territories#:~:text=Political%20information,security%2C%20within%20internationally%20recognised%20borders.

[12] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-insider/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Iran-turning-to-cyber-enabled-influence-operations-for-greater-effect-05022023.pdf

 

Guide to CyberCX Intelligence reporting language 

CyberCX Cyber Intelligence uses probability estimates and confidence indicators to enable readers to take appropriate action based on our intelligence and assessments.  

 

Probability estimates – reflect our estimate of the likelihood an event or development occurs 
Remote chance  Highly unlikely  Unlikely  Real chance  Likely  Highly likely  Almost certain 
Less than 5%  5-20%  20-40%  40-55%  55-80%  80-95%  95% or higher 

 

Note, if we are unable to fully assess the likelihood of an event (for example, where information does not exist or is low-quality) we may use language like “may be” or “suggest”.  

 

Confidence levels – reflect the validity and accuracy of our assessments 
Low confidence  Moderate confidence  High confidence 
Assessment based on information that is not from a trusted source and/or that our analysts are unable to corroborate.  Assessment based on credible information that is not sufficiently corroborated, or that could be interpreted in various ways.  Assessment based on high-quality information that our analysts can corroborate from multiple, different sources. 

 

 

Other Cyber Security Resources