WARTIME usage of compromised IP cameras has moved from a cyber nuisance to a strategic military tool, with Russia, Iran, Israel, Ukraine, and the United States cited as participants in exploiting internet-connected cameras for intelligence and targeting.
In a high-profile incident, Israel and the United States reportedly hijacked Iran’s network of traffic cameras to surveil protesters and track the movements of Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prior to an air strike, an operation said to have killed him on 28 February, according to reports this month by the Financial Times and the Associated Press.
Following that attack, Iran is said to have increased its attempts to gain eyes in Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Cyprus, per a report from Check Point Software Technologies. Industry experts warn that the shift reflects a move from merely demonstrating vulnerabilities to using compromised devices for intelligence gathering and even propaganda, with Check Point’s Noam Moshe emphasising the value of direct visibility into targeted territories.
Analysts also note that while nation-states are widening targets, many organisations remain exposed by legacy, shadow, or poorly secured devices, underscoring the need for continuous patching and robust cyber hygiene.