Israel to Boost Digital Defence

In an effort to improve national cybersecurity defence system Israeli Communications Ministry and National Cyber Directorate set out a list of requirements for telecom companies.

According to the program, Israel’s major communications companies will be required to implement detailed plans for identifying and preventing future cyber attacks targeting communication networks. The companies will need to adhere to unified standards.

The reform will also require the firms to implement five levels of information security, though their specifics have not been made public.

Officials that presented the program said they hoped to create a digital Iron Dome over Israel, referring to the name of famous Israeli air defense system.

"We are raising standards in order to protect Israel and create a kind of Iron Dome against cyberattacks. It won’t matter how strong the attack is or who is the attacker. We will be able to keep Israel secure," said Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel.

This year Israel experienced a rapid surge in attempted cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2022 when the the numbers jumped 137% compared to a year earlier. The hackers targeted mainly the insurance, education, health care, government and manufacturing sectors.