Israel’s ‘Cyberdome’: Defending Against Computer Attacks with Silent Warfare

Israel’s “Iron Dome” air defense system has successfully intercepted thousands of rockets since its launch in 2011. However, the country is now developing a “cyberdome” to defend against computer attacks, especially from Iran. Aviram Atzaba, head of international cooperation at the Israeli National Cybersecurity Directorate, describes this as a silent war that cannot be seen.

The organization based in Tel Aviv and reporting to the prime minister is responsible for defending the information systems of the Israeli civil sector. Atzaba notes that there has been a significant increase in cyberattacks from Iran and its supporters since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7. Nearly 800 major attacks have been thwarted since then, targeting the Israeli army, civil infrastructure, government agencies, and even the computer systems of two Israeli hospitals.

In response to these threats, Israel has developed a centralized system to protect its cyberspace by consolidating its cyber defense efforts. The country’s enemy Iran adopted cyberwar mechanisms relatively late following events such as the post-election uprising in 2009 and the Stuxnet virus attack on its nuclear program in 2010. Iran has since developed a robust cyber strategy and is considered one of the most active states in this field.

To stay ahead in this ever-evolving landscape of cyber warfare, Israel is also strengthening its cyber capabilities and implementing proactive measures to analyze its cyberspace for vulnerabilities. The cyber dome system works similarly to Iron Dome missile defense system by providing a centralized approach to detecting and responding to cyber threats effectively. Despite facing a formidable enemy in the cyber realm, Israel remains a significant player in cyberspace and continues to collaborate with other countries to address cyberterrorism threats.

Overall, Israel’s development of a “cyberdome” reflects its commitment to enhancing its cyber defense capabilities while staying ahead in an ever-evolving landscape of digital threats from enemies such as Iran.