Arizona Homeland Security director says cybersecurity concerns heightened due to Russia

PHOENIX — The director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security said his team is responding with a heightened level of concern for cybersecurity in the state as Russia’s invasion into Ukraine continues to unfold.

Tim Roemer said the department’s cybercommand center has lowered thresholds for what they’re paying attention to and reporting to federal partners due to Russia’s history of cyberattacks.

“The reason why we have to do that is because Russia has shown that their aggression across the world and their history of using cyberattacks is something they will resort to as this situation in Ukraine escalates,” Roemer told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday.

If Arizona does come under cyber attack, Roemer expects critical infrastructure to be the target.

That includes utilities, water and energy companies, and financial institutions.

“We really have to be on the top of our game as we can possibly be,” Roemer said.

Russia’s push into Ukraine early Thursday came with a wave of cyberattacks, including to Ukrainian government websites and affiliated organizations.

Data-wiping malware was activated a day earlier that cybersecurity researchers said infected hundreds of computers including in neighboring Latvia and Lithuania.

The researchers said the malware attack had apparently been in preparation for as much as three months.

Roemer said Arizonans who want to be vigilant should put software tools in place, but stressed the importance of also staying calm.

“Now is a very important time for sharpening your defenses,” Roemer said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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