On some screens, world maps showed what looked like missiles from the United States and Europe heading toward Israel. They are not actual bombs, but instead are indications that a cyber attack has, or originated – or more likely – been masqueraded to look like it came from those locations. targeting Israel’s civilian infrastructure.
While Israel’s military and intelligence agencies keep its government and military safe in the cyber world, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate is responsible for coordinating surveillance and protection. the civil life of Israel.
The board of directors is led by Yigal Unna, a veteran of the elite 8200 cyber unit of the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Service. He told CNN in an extensive interview that during the coronavirus pandemic in which many people work from home, he and his team have seen a dramatic increase in targeted cyberattacks.
“It’s not just a daily basis, it’s an hourly or minutely basis,” says Unna. “We saw attacks everywhere. The past year and a half and even before that was like the whole world went crazy.”
In October, a ransomware attack hit the Hillel Yaffe hospital in Hadera, Northern Israel, crippling its internal IT systems. The attack forced staff members to sometimes use pen and paper to record patient records and delayed non-emergency operations by at least two weeks.
“Most (attacks) come from criminal elements and individuals trying to find out if there’s a criminal prospect,” Unna said. “Most of it comes from having good money [to be made] Unfortunately.”
Other attacks on Israeli civilian life may stem from politically motivated state-backed entities. In April 2020, a cyberattack on Israel’s water system could result in the incorrect addition of chemicals such as chlorine to drinking water. Israeli officials publicly attributed the attack to Iran.
If it had been successful, Unna said, the attack could have caused widespread deaths, illustrating how cyberwarfare can be as devastating as bombs and missiles.
“You just need a few smart and understanding kids, [and they can] Unna said.
In late October, a hack of an LGBTQ dating site in Israel caused the personal information of thousands of users to be posted online. That attack was largely attributed to the Israeli media by the Black Shadow criminal attack group with links to Iran.
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing a growing trend… this combination of attacks is not only financial, but confusing. It’s a simple malicious or malicious trend. ,” said Unna.
Even so, Unna was tough when asked about such actions. “Of course we know who’s behind it and we remember … and we can track down those behind any attack,” he warned.
When asked exactly how Israel “achieves equality,” Unna replied “by our special means and means.”
“Israel has all the tools and all the advantages not only in cyberspace but in all other respects that we can use as needed,” he added.
Attackers can be anywhere in the world, often masking their true location and trying to target multiple countries at once. That’s why international cooperation is key, says Unna.
Last month, the US and Israel launched a joint task force to combat ransomware, and Unna said that although Israel has worked closely with dozens of countries, there is bound to be international cooperation. even larger, reflecting intergovernmental military defense alliances such as NATO. Unna predicts even countries like China and Russia will join.
“I think it’s inevitable,” said Unna. “Ultimately all these countries, all these societies will witness the same problems and need to engage in the same solutions.”
Unna said “fast” is not a strong enough word to describe how fast things are moving in cyberspace. And while he’s confident he and his colleagues have the upper hand, it’s getting harder and harder to keep up.
“You need to run much faster just to be where you were yesterday, and if you want to make a little progress to improve, you have to run even faster,” he said.
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