The Israeli “Iron Dome” air defense system has been successful in intercepting thousands of rockets since its launch in 2011, but the country is now developing a new system to counter computer attacks. This is called the “cyberdome,” and it’s designed to protect Israel’s information systems from cyber threats.
The cyberdome was developed in response to a rise in cyberattacks by Iran and its supporters, including Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamist groups. These attacks have targeted various sectors of Israeli society, including the military, infrastructure, government agencies, and hospitals.
Israel has made efforts to develop a centralized system to protect its cyberspace, moving away from local initiatives that were previously in place. Meanwhile, Iran has been focusing on cyberwar mechanisms after significant events in its history, 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 become one of the most active states in this field.
The head of international cooperation at the Israeli National Cybersecurity Directorate, Aviram Atzaba, describes the cyberdome as a silent war that cannot be seen. The organization is responsible for defending Israel’s information systems and works closely with other countries like France and the United States to counter cyberterrorism. Despite facing a formidable adversary like Iran, Israel remains at the forefront of cyber defense technology.