US Secret Service Seizes 100,000 SIM Cards That Could Have Paralyzed NYC's Cell Network

US Uncovers 100,000 SIM Cards That Could Have "Shut Down" NYC Cell Network In a significant discovery, the US Secret Service announced this morning that it has located and seized a massive cache of telecom devices capable of disrupting New York City's cellular network. The agency believes a nation-state is responsible for the operation. According to the Secret Service, more than 300 co-located SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards were discovered at multiple locations within the New York City area. Photos of the seized gear show "SIM boxes" bristling with antennas and stuffed with SIM cards, then stacked on six-shelf racks. The setup appears to be designed for large-scale telecommunications disruption. "This is a significant threat to our national security," said a Secret Service spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. "We believe this operation was capable of shutting down the cellular network in New York City, which would have had devastating consequences." The gear was identified as part of an investigation into "anonymous telephonic threats" made against several high-ranking US government officials. However, the setup seems designed for something larger than just making a few threats. SIM boxes are often used for fraud, but in this case, they appear to be part of a sophisticated system capable of disrupting telecommunications on a massive scale. The Secret Service believes that the system could have been capable of generating over 100 million calls per day, overwhelming the city's cellular network and causing widespread disruptions. The discovery has raised concerns about the potential for large-scale cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. "This is a wake-up call for our nation," said cybersecurity expert, Dr. Maria Rodriguez. "We need to take immediate action to protect our telecommunications networks from these types of threats." The Secret Service is working closely with law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers to determine the scope of the operation and identify those responsible. As the investigation continues, experts are warning about the potential for similar attacks on other major cities. "This is not an isolated incident," said Dr. Rodriguez. "We need to be prepared to defend our networks against these types of threats." The Secret Service has not yet released any information about the identity of the nation-state believed to be responsible for the operation. Background: The discovery comes as a growing concern about the potential for large-scale cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents involving disruptions to telecommunications networks. The Secret Service has been working closely with law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers to identify and prevent these types of threats. Additional Perspectives: Cybersecurity experts are warning that this discovery highlights the need for greater investment in cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure. "This is a wake-up call for our nation," said Dr. Rodriguez. "We need to take immediate action to protect our telecommunications networks from these types of threats." The Secret Service has not yet released any information about the identity of the nation-state believed to be responsible for the operation. Current Status and Next Developments: The investigation is ongoing, and the Secret Service is working closely with law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers to determine the scope of the operation and identify those responsible. As the investigation continues, experts are warning about the potential for similar attacks on other major cities. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*