Cyberattacks could be 'Hiroshima-scale,' warns Israeli cyber pioneer

Dr. Harel Menashri, who helped establish Israel's Shin Bet cyber intelligence unit, warned that cyberattacks possess the potential for devastation on par with the Hiroshima nuclear bombing. He recalled how, in the 1990s, the agency initially dismissed his concerns about cyber threats as "mumbo jumbo," despite his demonstration of a "tiny Trojan" that could have inflicted widespread damage.

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mumbo jumbo

Three decades later, Menashri's warnings have become even more urgent. He explained that malicious code can exploit SCADA systems, which control industrial equipment and utilities, to trigger explosions in gas pipelines or derail trains carrying hazardous materials. The timeline for such attacks has been further compressed by artificial intelligence, enabling intrusions to be carried out from start to finish with unprecedented speed.

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tiny Trojan

Menashri expressed sharp criticism regarding Israel's relationship with China, stating, "China is not Israel's friend." He pointed out that Chinese companies are legally obligated to provide their government with data and source code, raising concerns about potential espionage, particularly with Chinese vehicles used by Israeli defense officials. The controversy surrounding the Haifa Port, where the U.S. opposed a Chinese company's operation due to its proximity to sensitive naval facilities, exemplifies these security anxieties. Menashri suggested that interventions from former U.S. officials were necessary to bring the issue to the attention of Israeli leadership, and noted that subsequent oversight bodies remain flawed.

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China is not Israel's friend.