WarSclerotic

he Israel Defense Forces is stepping up its cyber-warfare efforts with a new policy focused on recruiting soldiers for computer-oriented assignments, according to a senior figure in the defense establishment.The IDF will also seek increased budget allocations for units engaged in cyber-related activities, according to the senior figure.

“This is not just an IDF issue, but one that affects the state as a whole,” says the defense source. “I think that the importance of this sphere in defense work, especially in a country like Israel, which has advanced technology and which relies on its communications and computer equipment, is quite evident. We are doing all that we need to do to ensure that the state, and bodies within it, receive the defense they need.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Monday that Israel is under cyber-warfare attack. He claimed that “efforts to carry out a cyber attack on the state of Israel’s computer infrastructure are mounting. Each day, there are many attempts to penetrate Israel’s computer network.”

Netanyahu added that the cyber task force established in the prime minister’s office “is working to thwart these efforts, and its work focuses on the development of what I would call Israel’s digital ‘iron dome’ for defense against computer terror.”

Tomorrow, the IDF is scheduled to hold a special ceremony, headed by Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, to award commendations to 12 soldiers engaged in the army’s cyber-defense activities.

The IDF allocates considerable sums in the cyber sphere. As part of the multi-year “Oz” plan, NIS 1 billion shekels will go to cyber-defense projects.