Israel Establishes National Authority for Cyber Defense

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israel is stepping up its cyber defenses with the establishment of a national authority.

At Sunday's cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the formation of the National Authority for Cyber Defense to further protect the government and its institutions, as well as private individuals.

Dr. Eviatar Matania, chosen to lead the new authority, will gather a team of experts from varied sectors, to serve with him.

"Dealing with the cyber threat on the national level in the coming decades constitutes a strategic challenge that all countries must deal with," Dr. Matania said, calling it an "historic decision." 

"The establishment of a National Cyber Defense Authority, alongside the effort to build advanced and unique technologies, will bolster the State of Israel's position as a leader in the field and make a major contribution to defending the economy and encouraging growth."

With cyber-attacks on the increase, reportedly occurring on an almost daily basis, Netanyahu said the defense authority will supplement existing defense teams.

"We are in a new world," the prime minister said. "We are organizing new forces [that have] great significance for Israel's defense in the future."

During the 50-day military offensive against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip this past summer, an Iranian-sponsored hacker tried to infiltrate the IDF's cyber-defense division.

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) also recently established a new cyber-defense division to help defend the country from increasing cyber-attacks.