Saudis: We do not fear Israeli cyber attack

Talat Hafiz, who is in charge of media relations for Saudi banks, said the Arab country does not fear an Israeli cyber attack that would lead to the publication of its citizens' credit card details, the Al Arabiya network reported Monday.

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On Sunday the news network reported that Saudi banks raised their security level due to concerns over an Israeli cyber attack against their computer systems in response to the leaking of credit card information belonging to thousands of Israelis by a hacker who claimed to be from Saudi Arabia.

Hafiz denied the report, saying Saudi banks are not planning to raise their security level. He said local banks spend an average 15-20% of their budgets on maintaining a high security level at all times.

The official also said the Saudi banks' computer systems have never been broken into, adding that all information regarding the banks' customers is encrypted and therefore cannot be stolen. However, he did give customers a number of tips on how to keep their financial information confidential.

Al-Arabiya said Sunday that the data protection departments in several Saudi-based banks raised their alertness ahead of a possible attack on their systems. In addition, the banks boosted security and deterrence measures and increased monitoring against suspicious activity.

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