Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

Iran’s Influence Operations

Feb 14, 2024

Join Bryan Prior and Nirit Hinkis from Microsoft Threat Analysis Center as they discuss Iranian influence operations, tactics like impersonation and propaganda consumption, challenges in attribution, and collaboration among Iranian groups. Discover insights on Iran's cyber activities and potential future cyber attacks.

43:06

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Episode guests

Bryan Prior

Nirit Hinkis

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Iran utilizes multifaceted tactics like impersonation in cyber-enabled influence operations.

Collaboration among Iranian groups and Hezbollah indicates strategic partnership in influence operations.

Deep dives

Understanding Influence Operations and Information Operations

Influence operations aim to shape perceptions, attitudes, or behaviors of a target audience through various means, differing from information operations tied specifically to military actions. Iran's focus on influence operations targeting Israel showcases a nuanced approach, distinct from other nation-sponsored threat activities.

Introduction

2min

Iran's Cyber-Enabled Influence Operations on Israel

28min

Analysis of Cyber Actor Group's False Claims and Exaggerations

4min

Analyzing Misleading Information and Nation State Actions

2min

Exploring Online Personas and Attribution in Influence Operations

2min

Investigative Methodology and Collaborative Tracking of Influence Operations

4min

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Bryan Prior and Nirit Hinkis from the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center. Sherrod, Bryan, and Nirit discuss Iranian influence operations, distinguishing between influence and information operations. The conversation covers examples of cyber-enabled influence operations, focusing on Iran's actions related to the 2020 U.S. presidential elections and the Israel-Hamas war. The discussion covers tactics Iranian actors use, such as impersonation, recruiting locals, and leveraging email and text messages for amplification. The podcast brings context to the intricacies of Iranian cyber activities, their collaborative efforts, propaganda consumption, creative tactics, and challenges in attribution for influence operations.

In this episode you’ll learn:

The collaboration among Iranian groups in cyber-enabled influence operations
Wiper attacks in situations involving both cyber and kinetic operations
Unique aspects of Iran's influence operations

Some questions we ask:

What's the reason behind a spike in Iranian propaganda consumption in Canada?
Where does Iran fall compared to other countries like Russia and North Korea?
What might be coming up regarding Iranian cyber attacks and influence operations?

Resources:

View Bryan Prior on LinkedIn

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Iran Report

Iran Accelerates Cyber Ops Against Israel

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The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.