Periods of geopolitical instability, including the current conflict in the Middle East, can lead to an increase in cyber activity from both state‑linked groups and opportunistic threat actors. Government agencies and industry organizations have encouraged businesses to maintain a heightened security posture during this time.
At Commvault, we’re doing exactly that. We’ve elevated our internal awareness, tightened our operational discipline, and reinforced our resilience measures. Commvault also works with a trusted threat intelligence partner, CloudSEK, to help monitor evolving risks and inform our security posture. We encourage our customers, partners, and peers across the industry to take similar steps to stay informed and reinforce core cyber controls.
What organizations should focus on right now
1. Know when to shift into “heightened alert” mode
Have clear internal criteria for when to increase monitoring, limit non-essential changes on critical systems, or accelerate incident‑response readiness. These moves don’t need to be dramatic – they just need to be deliberate and well‑coordinated.
2. Strengthen identity and access discipline
During periods of heightened regional tensions, many threat actor campaigns rely on compromising user accounts. Reinforce good hygiene: regular credential rotation, strong authentication, careful review of unusual login behavior, and prompt investigation of anything that looks out of place. For practical steps to reduce identity-related risk, see Commvault’s recent blog on Security Best Practices.
3. Pay closer attention to your internet-facing perimeter and remote access
Threat actors often take advantage of internet‑facing systems or remote access tools during global flare‑ups. Ensure these systems are well‑maintained, updated, and monitored.
4. Be prepared for potential availability disruptions
DDoS and hacktivism activity often spikes during regional conflicts. Talk with your service providers, understand your mitigation options, and rehearse your internal escalation and communications plan so you’re ready if availability becomes a target.
5. Validate your ability to recover quickly
In times of uncertainty, resilience matters as much as prevention. Ensure your critical data is backed up securely, stored in multiple forms and locations, and restorable on short notice. Practicing recovery is just as important as having the backups themselves.
6. Watch for misinformation, social engineering, and false noise
Periods of conflict tend to bring surges in defacements, false breach or shutdown claims, and social‑media‑driven narratives. Treat sensational claims cautiously, verify impacts through trusted channels, report suspicious communications quickly, and maintain steady communication practices.
7. Stay aligned with trusted advisories
Follow alerts and guidance from reputable government and industry bodies. These sources regularly highlight shifts in regional threat activity and recommend practical steps organizations can take to prepare. A few resources include: CISA Cybersecurity Advisories; UK NCSC Reports & Advisories; CERT-EU Security Advisories; and NIST National Vulnerability Database.
Stay ready, stay resilient
Cybersecurity during global instability is not about panic, it’s about posture. By staying informed, tightening foundational practices, and strengthening resilience, organizations can navigate turbulent periods with confidence.
If you’d like help reviewing your preparation or refining your approach, our team is here to support you.
