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“Many cyberattacks are attributed to Iran but they’re generally regarded as less-sophisticated compared to countries with advanced cyber capabilities such as China and Russia.”
The publication also noted that researchers from ClearSky published ​a report in February detailing an Iranian offensive cyber campaign dubbed Fox Kitten. It has been ongoing for at least three years and targets various industries, predominantly in the US and Israel.
The ClearSky researchers said that Fox Kitten is “among Iran’s most continuous and comprehensive campaigns revealed until now” and gave a “medium probability” rating that various Iranian state-sponsored hacking groups are working together on the campaign.
Security experts are said to suspect that the attacks are state-sponsored due to the hackers’ choice of targets, which appear intended to cause chaos and gain access to information, rather than secure some financial gain.
9.1.7 ​Healthcare sector news
Iranian insurers call for government help as coronavirus payout pressure mounts
The Iranian Insurers’ Organisation—an industry lobby group—has requested financial support from Iran’s government as it contends with the country’s growing death toll from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to ​Donyaye Eqtesad.​
Insurance companies, call centres and secondary agents in offices around the country suspended much of their work given closure notices issued by the government as the outbreak worsened, but following their return to operation they have found themselves buckling under the weight of applications and payouts.
Some 400,000 people are employed in the insurance sector in Iran, a country of 83mn. The industry is now facing a perfect storm of policy auto-renewals together with payouts, despite not being able to raise the base prices of policies.
The medical and life insurance segments have reportedly taken the biggest hits in recent days, with huge payouts becoming due.
Also, unemployment benefit, which is backed by insurance, has skyrocketed in recent weeks, with some 600,000 people officially laid off as a consequence of the economic effects of the pandemic in Iran. Earlier, as part of preparations to deal with the outbreak, insurance companies were told by Central Insurance of Iran to recapitalise and meet new minimum liquidity rules ahead of the impending payout surge.
The government in 2017 set IRR2.5 trillion ($65.18mn at the official exchange rate) as the minimum capital requirement for starting a reinsurance firm and IRR1tn as the requirement for starting an insurance firm.
9.1.8​ Agricultural sector news
Iran, Kyrgyzstan hold virtual agricultural business conference
Iranian “knowledge-based” companies have held a virtual conference with Kyrgyzstani counterparts, ICANA reported on August 20.
The virtual business event was held with the participation of 30 Iranian knowledge-based companies and business groups from Kyrgyzstan to discuss agricultural technological development as part of efforts to prepare for Iran’s entry in the temporary preferential trade agreement (PTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The event, organised by the respective embassies in both countries, was
52​ IRAN Country Report September 2020 www.intellinews.com