BICOM

Senior Israeli security figures have sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticising proposed legislation that would grant expansive powers to the new Israeli National Cyber Authority.

The letter – signed by the director of Mossad, the head of the Shin Bet and the Director General of the Defence Ministry – expresses deep concern that the new Cyber Authority would limit the ability of their own cyber security units to protect the country from attacks and combat terrorism.

The letter states that “the draft bill seeks to grant extensive powers to the Cyber Authority, whose purpose has not been clearly defined, and it could seriously harm the core security activity of the security community in the cyber field.”

They are calling on the Prime Minister to withdraw the proposed legislation and draft a new one that protects their existing powers and guarantees coordination and cooperation between the security services and the new authority.

The current bill would give the Cyber Authority a budget of 200 million Israeli Shekels and outlines its responsibility to offer guidance to private companies, organisations and public agencies to help prevent cyber attacks, as well as to set cyber regulations and manage emergencies.

The security establishment was opposed to the creation of the new Cyber Authority two years ago, but was assured by the Prime Minister that its exact role and powers would be developed in coordination with them.