Escalating conflict involving Iran and recent U.S.–Israel military operations have increased the risk of cyber activity directed at U.S. organizations. Threat intelligence teams and federal agencies have reported a rise in opportunistic attacks attributed to Iran-aligned cyber actors. SecurityWeek and Unit 42 by Palo Alto Networks similarly note that the Middle East conflict has expanded into a parallel cyberwar, raising digital risk worldwide and broadening the threat surface for organizations far beyond the region. 

Pro-Iranian hacktivists recently claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on U.S. medical technology firm, Stryker, underscoring the continued risk to American businesses amid ongoing geopolitical cyber activity. 

Current Threat Activity Observed 

• Increase in Iran‑linked hacktivist activity: Groups are ramping up website defacements, DDoS attacks, credential‑phishing attempts and other disruptive network actions.

• Rise in ransomware and destructive attacks: Adversaries are using ransomware, wiper malware and “hack‑and‑leak” tactics aimed at causing operational disruption or reputational harm. 

• More exploitation of common security gaps: Attackers are actively targeting unpatched systems, reused or stolen credentials, MFA fatigue and publicly exposed services.

• Cyber activity tied to global conflicts: Cyber operations increasingly intensify alongside military activity, raising the risk of spillover impacts to private‑sector organizations. 

Recommended Cyber Hygiene Actions 

Reinforce key cyber protections: 

• Maintain at least one offline, air-gapped backup of your most critical data to safeguard against ransomware encryption or the loss of backups connected to your network.

• Be cautious with unexpected emails, links, attachments or unfamiliar multifactor authentication prompts. 

• Avoid reusing passwords and update weak or outdated credentials. 

• Remain diligent in patching all systems and devices. Do not bypass security controls. 

• Provide cybersecurity and phishing training to ensure employees remain vigilant. 

• Promptly report anything unusual or suspicious because early notification can lead to better outcomes. 

• Use geographic-based filtering to block traffic from high-risk regions that are not relevant to your business footprint. 

Important Note on Cyber Insurance Coverage 

Geopolitical cyber activity creates additional uncertainty around cyber insurance coverage. Many cyber policies contain clauses that exclude coverage for acts of war. Determining whether a cyber incident is a criminal act, which is typically covered, or a state sponsored or proxy attack related to armed conflict, which is often excluded, can be challenging. 

This ambiguity can lead to legal disputes, prompt insurers to interpret policies more narrowly, and leave policyholders uncertain, especially as nation state cyber operations become more closely linked to geopolitical conflict.

Organizations seeking coverage that explicitly includes cyber incidents tied to war or state sponsorship can explore specialized options available in markets such as Lloyd’s of London. 

Take Action to Strengthen Your Cyber Resilience 

Contact the Unison Cyber Risk Solutions team for guidance on cyber risk assessments, reviewing policy exclusions or exploring cyber war coverage. Schedule a consultation today.