Israeli Finance Ministry and National Cyber Directorate Hosted International Financial Cyber Forum in Japan

The Israeli Ministry of Finance, led by its Cyber Security and Emergency Department, together with the Israel National Cyber Directorate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted the annual meeting of the Multinational Financial Cyber Forum on the sidelines of the Expo in Osaka, Japan. This year’s gathering focused on deepening international cooperation to enhance the resilience of the global financial system.

The forum addressed a wide range of issues with proposals for collaboration discussed on key topics, including mitigating AI-related risks, the future impact of quantum computing, supply chain protection, international cooperation in times of crisis, and proactive intelligence sharing.

Senior officials from finance ministries, representatives of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, and cyber agencies from more than 15 countries and international organizations took part. The forum was attended by Israel’s Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, former Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, and Israel’s Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: “Israel stands as a global beacon in the field of cybersecurity, particularly in financial cyber defense. International collaborations led by Israel, especially in these challenging times, are clear proof of Israel’s strong global standing as a cyber power. This is a source of immense pride for Israel’s high-tech industry, the Ministry of Finance, and the State of Israel.”

Yossi Karadi, Head of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, added: “The financial system is one of the main targets for cyber attackers worldwide, and all countries face similar threats. Financial resilience is essential to national resilience. That is why international cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and real-time threat alerts are critical. Israel brings to the table knowledge, innovation, and operational experience built over years. The forum was established on the understanding that no country can face cross-border threats alone.”

Yoni Mor, Head of the Cyber Security and Emergency Department at the Ministry of Finance: “The Multinational Financial Cyber Forum is one of the most important platforms in the world in this field. The meeting plays a vital role in strengthening professional collaborations, enhancing the resilience of financial sectors, and improving cross-border cooperation in financial cybersecurity.”