In light of the ongoing increase in cyberattacks against Israel, the National Cyber Directorate published yesterday the National Cyber Defense Law memorandum. The law is intended to strengthen the defense of the national cyber space and ensure the continuity of essential organizations and digital service providers, which are vital for the economy’s operation and the public’s daily life.
The legislation is based on current cyber threats and lessons learned from cyberattacks in the past two years, especially against the backdrop of attempts to harm and disrupt the operations of essential bodies. Israel is currently ranked third among the most attacked countries in the world.
Despite the severity of the threat, Israel currently lacks a uniform national legal framework that defines responsibilities, obligations, and mandatory standards for cyber defense, unlike laws that exist in many Western countries. According to the Cyber Directorate’s assessment, the annual economic damage from cyberattacks amounts to approximately NIS 12 billion, yet many organizations still do not take sufficient protective measures.
A major part of the law memorandum details how essential organizations, as well as certain digital service providers, must meet a basic level of cyber defense and manage risks. Furthermore, it establishes an immediate reporting obligation to the Cyber Directorate and the authorized government authority in the event of a significant attack. In addition, the law regulates a national framework for regulation and supervision for the relevant government ministries, as well as the responsibilities and authorities of the Directorate.
According to the head of the National Cyber Directorate, Yossi Kardi: “The State of Israel and its citizens are constantly attacked by cyber from our enemies who are making efforts to harm the continuity of operations and human life. With the help of the Cyber Law, we will be able to better defend against the rapidly developing threat and ensure that the Israeli economy is adequately prepared. A cyberattack can exploit the absolute dependence of a modern society like ours on digital technology and harm every aspect of our lives. The proposed law sets a mandatory defense standard for organizations without which the state cannot function, and it is an essential and necessary step to strengthen national resilience and maintain the security of the economy and the citizens of the State of Israel.”
For the full memorandum, click here
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