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NCC holds first cyber terror drill

National Cyber Command's 'Lights Out' exercise to simulate multisource cyber attack on vital Israeli systems

Israel will be holding its first official cyber emergency drill, starting Wednesday. The drill, dubbed "Lights Out," will span several days and aims to test readiness and contingencies vis-à-vis a wide-spread, multisource cyber terror attack on Israel's vital infrastructure systems.

 

The drill is orchestrated by National Cyber Command (NCC) and the Counter Terror Bureau (CTB), and according to Ynet's sources, it was planned prior to the recent strings of cyber attacks on Israeli websites.

 

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"Lights Out" will simulate a virtual assault on strategic infrastructure, in a manner which – were they to actually happen – could paralyze crucial systems to the point of effecting the public's day-to-day life.

 

The CTB explained that the drill is part of the routine readiness exercise scheduled for various official bodies year-round.

 

  • For full coverage of the cyber attack on Israel click here

 

Security sources stressed that strategic systems, like those operated by Israel Electric Corp and the Water Authority for example, enjoy a high level of encryption and protection and are monitored by the Shin Bet against threats.

 

Meanwhile, the Communications Ministry said last week that it will not participate in the drill, citing its personnel lacked "the necessary expertise."

 

In December, the interim report probing the mysterious October crash of various government systems, including some operated by the IDF, Mossad and Shin Bet, concluded that the systems were probably shut down as a result of an act of cyber terror.

 

"The premise must be that this was an attack, trying to 'test the system," a source privy to the investigation said.

 

Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report  

 

 

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פרסום ראשון: 01.25.12, 08:51
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