Police computers disconnected from network for fear of cyber attack

Officers ordered to refrain from using media devices, disconnect their computers from civilian network following virus warning. Official: It happens all the time

Omri Efraim|Published: 10.25.12 , 13:13

In light of an intelligence warning indicating that a virus would be inserted into Israel Police's central computer system via a USB drive or CD, all districts and officers were instructed on Thursday to disconnect their computers from the civilian web network.

Israel Police also ordered all relevant parties to refrain from inserting USB drives or CDs into any computer that is connected to the central computer system.

The warning was sent to all police districts overnight.

"Due to fears of a cyber attack on the police's computer system, it will not be possible to insert any media devices until further notice," Israel Police announced.

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A government official who is familiar with the Israeli E-Government Project, known as "Tehila," said the warning was an internal police matter and that no general warning has been received for the government's entire computer network.

"This sort of thing happens all the time," he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting last week that "there are increasing attempts to carry out cyber-attacks on computer infrastructures in the State of Israel. Every day there are attempts, even many attempts, to infiltrate Israel's computer systems.

"It was because of this that I established the National Cyber Bureau and it is working to block these attempts by developing what I would call a 'digital Iron Dome' for Israel to defend against computer terrorism," he said.

Last month the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) said it suffers between 10,000 and 20,000 cyber attacks every day.

"A cyber war is a prolonged one, and unlike a single tactical strike, it's far more dangerous and may take longer to recover from, said Yiftach Ron-Tal, chairman of the IEC board.