The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel is no longer confined to missiles and drones — a new front has opened in cyberspace. Over the past weeks, both state-sponsored hackers and independent hacktivist groups have escalated a wave of cyberattacks targeting critical systems, especially in Iran’s financial and digital infrastructure.
Businesses in Qatar and the wider GCC region must stay alert, as cyberwars increasingly cross borders and affect global networks.
🚨 Major Cyber Incidents: June–July 2025
Iranian crypto exchange Nobitex attacked
In mid-June, the Israeli-linked hacker group Predatory Sparrow breached Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The attack led to the destruction of around $90 million worth of crypto assets, severely disrupting trading and public trust 【source: Reuters】
Bank Sepah crippled
The same group also targeted Bank Sepah, one of Iran’s largest state-owned banks. The attack damaged servers, wiped data, and temporarily paralyzed operations 【source: Wired】.
Internet throttling in Iran
In response to increasing attacks, the Iranian government deliberately slowed or shut down internet access in multiple regions to limit exposure. Messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp also suffered widespread disruptions 【source: The Verge】.
Global threat alerts issued
Cybersecurity experts are warning that Iranian threat actors are retaliating with a surge of offensive operations. US and European cyber agencies report a 700% increase in Iranian cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure worldwide — especially in finance, transportation, and energy sectors 【source: Axios】.
🌍 Why This Matters for Businesses in Qatar
While the direct targets are currently Iranian and Israeli systems, cyberwar has no borders. Businesses in Qatar — particularly in banking, oil & gas, logistics, government, and telecom — are exposed to:
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Collateral damage from malware that spreads beyond its original targets
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Phishing and spear-phishing campaigns targeting employees
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DDoS attacks on websites and digital services
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Supply chain vulnerabilities through third-party vendors
Qatar’s push toward digital transformation and Vision 2030 also increases its cyber-attack surface.
🛡️ What Should Companies Do?
✅ Review and strengthen firewalls and endpoint protection
✅ Conduct employee phishing awareness training
✅ Monitor networks for unusual activity
✅ Review backup and disaster recovery procedures
✅ Engage with trusted cybersecurity partners (like GrayData) for proactive monitoring and incident response
Final Word
The Iran–Israel cyberwar is a stark reminder that today’s geopolitical conflicts spill into the digital world — with global implications.
Qatari businesses must be prepared. Now is the time to act — review your defenses, train your teams, and stay informed.
GrayData Technology provides cybersecurity solutions, risk assessments, and 24/7 monitoring to help protect your business in an increasingly hostile cyber landscape