AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Even with the ceasefire, what’s happening in Iran could have an impact here at home.  

A national security expert at Augusta University spoke with me today about what’s at stake in Iran and how the CSRA could be affected.   

“The more significant concern, which is likely to impact individuals in the United States and the CSRA, involves cyber-attacks,” stated Dr. Craig Albert, the Graduate Director of National Defense Studies at Augusta University.

According to Dr. Albert, although these cyber-attacks may not be catastrophic, they could disrupt everyday activities and might require a few days for the United States Government to resolve.

“These attacks could overwhelm various popular websites in the United States, such as social media platforms, through methods known as DDoS attacks. This involves simulating the presence of one billion users on a particular site, essentially shutting it down. Users could lose access to these sites, or the sites could be defaced, affecting access only partially. Some of these targeted sites could potentially include banking websites,” Albert explained.

And if Iran does launch some sort of attack on the U.S.? 

 “I don’t think that Iran would do something to the point that President Trump would have to retaliate in an escalatory nature that’s out of his nature. He doesn’t want to do that; President Trump has stated so. So, I think Iran would probably use this as a way to negotiate,” said Albert.  

Albert told me that federal, state, and local officials, as well as enforcement, have all met within the past 72 hours. He believes that will put everyone on the same page. 

“If anything is in the works, the United States and the local authorities are working to make sure that it’s prevented and stopped. And so, I think citizens of the CSRA should be happy to hear that folks have already taken that into account to prevent anything from happening,” said Albert.  

For more information on the Department of Homeland Security’s national terrorism advisory, please visit this link.