Dallas residents experienced a multi‑hour loss of AT&T internet service on Monday, but the telecom provider says the outage was the result of an attempted cable theft, not a foreign cyber‑attack.
AT&T’s explanation
In a statement released after service was restored, AT&T said it has “no evidence to support” the claim made by an Iranian‑linked hacking group known as APT Iran. The company traced the disruption to an attempted theft of underground fiber‑optic cable, which temporarily severed the connection for customers in several Dallas neighborhoods.
AT&T added that crews repaired the damaged line and that service is now operating normally across the city. The company also said it will continue to monitor the network and review any additional information related to the incident.
Hacker group’s claim
APT Iran, a group linked to the Iranian government, posted online that it had taken down AT&T’s internet service in parts of Texas as part of a broader campaign against U.S. infrastructure. The group has previously threatened water, energy and telecommunications systems, but AT&T’s investigation found no technical evidence of a cyber intrusion.
Expert warning on infrastructure security
Mary N. Cheney, a former FBI cybersecurity specialist and now CEO of MNC Cybersecurity Workforce Hub, cautioned that physical and operational technology systems remain highly vulnerable. “When you start talking about operational technology and systems that actually go into the real world, it’s there and it’s always there,” Cheney said. “The most vulnerable systems are those that control water, power and transportation.”
Cheney noted that everyday infrastructure relies heavily on internet‑connected devices, making telecom networks a potential target for both physical sabotage and cyber threats. She emphasized that the public often underestimates these risks, adding, “I think the everyday person doesn’t really realize how vulnerable we are as a country, because we rely on the internet so much. Whether it’s Iran or whether it’s not Iran, are we still vulnerable? Absolutely, yes, we are.”
What this means for Dallas residents
While the outage was brief, it highlights the importance of protecting critical infrastructure from both physical attacks and cyber‑based threats. AT&T’s quick response restored service, and the company’s ongoing monitoring aims to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Local officials have not yet commented, but the incident serves as a reminder for city leaders and private operators to coordinate on safeguarding essential services. Residents who experienced the outage are encouraged to report any suspicious activity near utility lines to law enforcement.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
