{"id":32189,"date":"2023-03-23T17:22:04","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T17:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2023\/03\/23\/us-sent-hunt-forward-team-to-albania-in-wake-of-iranian-cyberattacks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T12:31:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:31:49","slug":"us-sent-hunt-forward-team-to-albania-in-wake-of-iranian-cyberattacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/cyber\/2023\/03\/23\/us-sent-hunt-forward-team-to-albania-in-wake-of-iranian-cyberattacks\/","title":{"rendered":"US sent \u2018hunt-forward\u2019 team to Albania in wake of Iranian cyberattacks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. cyber specialists spent three months in Albania working alongside forces there to identify network weaknesses and hacking tools following Iranian cyberattacks on government systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The so-called hunt-forward operation, a defensive measure taken at the invitation of foreign officials, was the first conducted in Albania, a smaller NATO ally. U.S. Cyber Command revealed the operation<\/a>, handled by its Cyber National Mission Force, or CNMF, on March 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Army Maj. Gen. William Hartman, the commander of the mission force, in a statement said the operation brought CYBERCOM personnel \u201ccloser to adversary activity\u201d while promoting international relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Army
Army Maj. Gen. William J. Hartman, commander of Cyber National Mission Force, foreground, is seen at ceremony in December 2022. (Provided\/CYBERCOM)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn an increasingly dynamic environment where malicious cyber actors attempt to exploit our networks, data, and critical infrastructure, we have a key asymmetric advantage that our adversaries don\u2019t have: enduring partnerships<\/a>, like this one with Albania,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran targeted Albanian networks in July and September, forcing offline key government services including the Total Information Management System, which tracks details of those entering and exiting the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Biden administration condemned the digital belligerence and, ultimately, sanctioned Iran<\/a>. The administration\u2019s cybersecurity strategy identifies the Middle Eastern country as a burgeoning cyber power and a safe haven for ransomware abusers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nathaniel Fick, the U.S. ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy, in a statement Thursday said the U.S. remains committed \u201cto working with Albania on securing its digital future, and ensuring that connectivity is a force for innovation, productivity, and empowerment.\u201d He also called on other countries to hold Iran accountable for \u201cits destructive cyberattacks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t