State Comptroller: The State of Israel Needs a Cyber Iron Dome

The arena of war is changing in front of our eyes: missiles will sometimes be replaced by viruses; ground warfare will sometimes be replaced by virtual warfare in the cyber arena. Local authorities and the central government need to be prepared for this

Following reports of the crash of government websites, let us recall that State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman is currently conducting a comprehensive audit of cyber defense in many governmental services, including hospitals, the Ministry of Education, the Israel Tax Authority, transportation systems and local authorities. As part of the auditing work, system penetration tests are also being carried out, in order to ensure the government's preparedness for cyberattacks.

Just last week, reports were published on cyber defense at the Israel Electric Corporation and at the Central Elections Committee.

The Comptroller warned: "The State of Israel needs a cyber Iron Dome. The significance of cyber threats is that we also simultaneously need to work on protection against cyberattacks. In this the State of Israel still has a long way to go. The State of Israel is not sufficiently protected against cyberattacks!

Upon entering my position as State Comptroller, I worked to develop cyber auditing: we contracted with cyber companies, recruited designated employees for a new Cyber Division that we established at the Office and trained over 30 audit employees as information system auditors. There were those who raised their eyebrows at the emphasis that I have placed on the cyber issue. Today I think that everyone understands that the decision was correct.

The arena of war is changing in front of our eyes: missiles will sometimes be replaced by viruses; ground warfare will sometimes be replaced by virtual warfare in the cyber arena. Local authorities and the central government in Israel need to be prepared for this."