Sunday, September 1, 2019

IRAN TO IMPLEMENT 'CYBER IDENTITY DOCUMENT' FOR INTERNET USERS

IRAN TO IMPLEMENT 'CYBER IDENTITY DOCUMENT' FOR INTERNET USERS

Minister of Communications Mahmoud Vaezi stated that identifying internet users was a "current priority" and that in the future there would be no anonymous internet users in Iran.

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 
 SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 04:16
 
2 minute read.

    A computer engineer checks equipment at an internet service provider in Tehran February 15, 2011
    A computer engineer checks equipment at an internet service provider in Tehran February 15, 2011. (photo credit: CAREN FIROUZ / REUTERS)
    The Supreme Council of Cyberspace of Iran recently adopted a document allowing for the identification of internet users, according to Radio Farda. 
    The document, entitled "Authentic Identity System in Cyberspace," is meant to develop and promote digital business and to allow for "free, healthy, dynamic, responsible and beneficial interactions with respect for individual and collective rights in social, economic and political relationships between all kinds of entities in cyberspace," stated the council during the meeting.
    The Council has stated in previous meetings that a valid identity system in cyberspace is necessary for "any kind of technical, economic (monetary and financial), cultural, social, political and administrative interaction between individuals, groups, objects, services, content and locations."


    How this document will be implemented is unclear. It is also unknown if the plan will only be implemented on the National Information Network or on all Internet Service Providers.


    Minister of Communications Mahmoud Vaezi stated that identifying internet users was a "current priority" and that in the future there would be no anonymous internet users in Iran, according to Radio Farda.


    The purpose of identifying internet users is to "classify individuals into groups of professors, universities, students, business and other guilds to manage the needs of each group," according to the Ministry of Communications.


    Vaezi explained that the national network of government information services is provided to the public and authentication prevents the need for a national ID card.


    Iran's National Information Network (ININ) is an intranet system that the country is working on in an attempt to cut the Islamic Republic's dependency on international cyberspace, according to Radio Farda.


    The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution announced that the ININ is 80% complete in May.


    The plan was first announced in 2010 with an expected completion date in 2015.


    "All domestic activities, services, applications [and] various types of contents... are included in the national internet," said Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi at the inauguration event in 2016, according to the BBC.


    Iran already has blocked access to tens of thousands of sites and services including Twitter and Facebook, although many users use virtual private networks (VPNs) and proxy sites to bypass the filter.


    "The National Internet Project could pave the way for further isolation, surveillance and information retention," stated a report by the British human rights campaign group Article 19, according to the BBC. "[It] risks severely isolating the Iranian people from the rest of the online world, limiting access to information and constraining attempts at collective action and public protest."

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    IRAN UNVEILS ANOTHER NEW DRONE AS PART OF GROWING ARSENAL

    Recent surge showing off new military technology is likely an attempt to reach Western audiences.

    BY 
     
     SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 15:54
     
    3 minute read.


      A Ghadr 1 class Shahab 3 long range missile is prepared for launch during a test from an unknown loc
      A Ghadr 1 class Shahab 3 long range missile is prepared for launch during a test from an unknown location in central Iran. (photo credit: REUTERS)
      Iran publicly unveiled yet another new drone on Sunday, part of its growing arsenal of locally produced drones and munitions. Iran has been on a surge recently in terms of showing off new military technology. The Islamic republic showed off a new radar on August 10 and a new missile defense system on August 22.

      The new drone is called Kian and is supposed to be able to carry out precision strikes against “distant targets.” In an apparent threat to Israel or other countries, Iran’s Army Air Defense commander Brig.-Gen. Alireza Sabahi-Fardand said that it was capable of hitting targets “far from Iran’s borders.”
      Oddly, the drone announcement was made in English – but Farsi media downplayed its importance. This likely means that ISNA and PressTV were given orders to push this information to make Western audiences aware of it.

      Iran also showed off another drone called Mobin in Russia on August 27. It can supposedly fly up to 45,000 feet high for 45 minutes, and has a warhead of 120 kg. That’s a lot, but it’s not clear how far it can go. 

      Tehran also showed off new “smart bombs” on August 6. According to reports, these were dubbed the Yasin and Balaban and a new series of Qaem “optic bombs.” They can be used on drones and have “advanced, precision-guided” equipment. In January, Iran also showed off another UAV called Saegheh-2, which looks like a medium-range reconnaissance drone modeled on the US RQ-170.

      As if that wasn’t enough drones, Iran also showed off another drone, the Mohajer 6, in June. It is capable of conducting surveillance missions. Tehran seems to have a surfeit of all this new military technology. It also seems to have a huge spectrum of drones, but it isn’t clear if all of them work well. 

      In addition to those mentioned above, Tehran also has the Kaman-12 which can supposedly fly for ten hours and has a payload of 100 kg. The Shahed-129 can launch bombs and missiles. There is also the Akhgar missile which Iran built to equip its drones. The 1.7 meter missile has a range of 30 km, according to reports.

      It is hard not to conclude that Iran is rolling out these weapons to show off and also to send a message to Washington and its allies. It wants to show that despite US sanctions, the country is rapidly stockpiling advanced weapons systems. 

      Iran has an impressive indigenous defense industry. It has showed off precision missiles and used them in Syria and Iraq, and has used drones as well. It has transferred this technology to allies, including Houthi rebels, Hezbollah and Shi’ite militias. It is no surprise that Iran boasts of “precision” in all of its new ordinances, at a time when Israel has accused Hezbollah and the IRGC of working on precision rocket conversion programs. 

      This is the real message from Tehran: We have precision weapons and we are building more and more of them in different shapes and sizes with different ranges and missions. Iran now has what appears to be a sophisticated multi-layered drone force, as well as new air defense and precision missiles. It has never tested them in a real battle scenario, but it has gained knowledge from seeing how the Houthis have conducted attacks on Saudi Arabia. 

      Its limited use of drones in Iraq and Syria, as well as precision missile strikes, have shown that Iran’s capabilities are expanding and are not just for show, even if some of the drones it has demonstrated appear to be less than how they are advertised.

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