AMMAN — The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on Monday detected and thwarted an attempted cyberattack by an Iranian hacking group targeting the systems of the Jordan Silos and Supply General Company in Irbid, NCSC President Mohammad Samadi said.

 

Samadi told Al Mamlaka TV on Thursday that the attackers attempted to infiltrate the company’s network to manipulate its operations, including temperature control, weighing systems and backup power systems.

 

He said the breach occurred after the hackers exploited a weak password used by one of the company’s system users, allowing them to gain access to parts of the network before the intrusion was detected and contained by the NCSC.

 

Samadi added that the centre managed to stop the attempt after the hackers reached the power system but before they could access other critical systems.

 

He stressed that the swift detection and response prevented what could have been a major cyberattack with serious implications for the safety of the Kingdom’s strategic wheat reserves.

 

Samadi urged public and private institutions to adopt the highest cyber security standards, comply with the policies and security controls issued by the centre, and report any incidents immediately.

 

He also noted that rapid response played a key role in foiling the attempt, adding that the NCSC had formed a crisis cell with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship that has helped thwart several cyber operations targeting Jordan’s cyberspace.

 

Samadi said the attempted breach aimed to manipulate temperature control systems in a way that could have affected the country’s strategic wheat stock.