The Rise of Hacked Security Cameras in Modern Warfare

From Ukraine to the Middle East, security cameras are increasingly becoming a key battleground in modern conflicts. Hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities in these systems for surveillance, intelligence gathering and even to directly influence physical attacks. This trend highlights a growing convergence of physical and cyber warfare, raising serious security concerns for both civilian and military infrastructure.

Cameras as Intelligence Gathering Tools

The apply of compromised security cameras for intelligence gathering has been observed in multiple recent conflicts. During the Twelve-Day War between Iran and Israel in June 2025, Iranian hackers targeted Israeli security cameras to track the movements of high-profile individuals. According to Yossi Karadi, head of Israel’s National Cybersecurity Directorate, these cameras were used to “track the movements of Israeli VIPs, with the aim of building operations to target and harm them.” Source

This tactic was as well employed prior to the current escalating war in the Middle East. Israeli intelligence sources, speaking to the Financial Times, revealed they used real-time data from traffic cameras in Tehran to understand the city’s layout and the routines of security personnel around Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stating they “knew Tehran like we know Jerusalem.”

The practice isn’t limited to the Middle East. In January 2024, Ukrainian officials warned that Russian forces had hacked security cameras in Kyiv to observe Ukrainian infrastructure and air defenses, using the data to prepare and adjust strikes. Source

From Surveillance to Direct Attack

The exploitation of security cameras extends beyond simple surveillance. There are instances where compromised cameras have been directly linked to physical attacks. Yossi Karadi revealed that Iranian hackers compromised a street camera across from the Weizmann Institute of Science before launching a missile strike on the facility. Source This demonstrates a dangerous merging of cyber and physical warfare, where cyberattacks are used to facilitate and enhance physical damage.

Ukraine’s Response and Counter-Tactics

Ukraine has been at the forefront of both experiencing and responding to this threat. The SSU intelligence service reported disabling 10,000 internet-connected cameras that could be used by Russian forces. Source They urged camera owners to stop online broadcasts and report any suspicious streams.

Interestingly, Ukraine has also seemingly adopted the tactic itself. Video footage of a Ukrainian underwater drone destroying a Russian submarine in Crimea appeared to originate from a hacked surveillance camera. Ukrainian hacktivist group One Fist was commended for hacking cameras to monitor Russian matériel movements across the Kerch Bridge.

Implications and Future Concerns

The increasing reliance on hacked security cameras in warfare presents a significant escalation in cyber threats. It highlights the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure and the potential for cyberattacks to have direct physical consequences. As these tactics turn into more prevalent, securing camera systems and developing robust cybersecurity measures will be crucial for protecting critical infrastructure and national security.