Raphael Kahan
Microsoft’s data points to an even starker picture in the Middle East and Africa, where Israel experienced 603 cyberattacks, roughly 20.4% of all incidents in the region, a rate far higher than any other country. The report underscores what it describes as an “exceptionally high” threat level against Israeli government institutions, as well as the public and private sectors. Government bodies remained among the most targeted, representing 17% of attacks during the period.
The report identifies Iran as one of Israel’s leading cyber adversaries, stating that about 64% of all Iranian state-linked cyber activity worldwide was directed against Israeli targets. According to Microsoft’s threat intelligence team, Tehran’s operations aim to gather intelligence on Israel, recruit individuals for hostile activity, disrupt vital services, retaliate without direct military confrontation and project technological power.
Microsoft notes that Iran’s cyber efforts have intensified alongside regional tensions and that its tactics increasingly blend espionage, influence operations and attempts to damage public trust. The report describes the campaigns as part of an ongoing cyber war between the two nations that parallels their wider strategic rivalry.
Beyond Iran, the company says Russia has expanded its cyber operations, with actors linked to Moscow targeting small businesses in countries that support Ukraine. These attacks often serve as entry points into larger corporations - a method that could also threaten Israeli companies with international operations or supply-chain ties.
Wartime surge in cyberattacks
While Microsoft’s global findings are based on data through June 2025, Israeli security and cyber officials report an unprecedented escalation in hostile cyber activity since the outbreak of the war against Hamas in October 2023.
The National Cyber Directorate reported a 24% increase in reports of cyber incidents in 2024, totaling roughly 17,000 cases. A separate report from the Shin Bet security agency found that the number of cyberattacks against Israel rose fivefold since the war began, compared with previous years. Private cybersecurity firms have documented even sharper spikes, some as high as 700%, in attempted attacks on Israeli targets.
No comments:
Post a Comment