IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot concluded on Monday that, in light of the challenges the IDF faces in the cyber sphere, a cyber command should be established in order for it to oversee all operational activity in the cyber dimension.
According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, the new command will be established over a time period of two years. A multi-branch team will be responsible for presenting the Chief of Staff with a development plan.
The new command is of utmost importance in the mission to adapt the IDF to the dynamic changes and challenges of modern warfare.
"The IDF is required to excel in every aspect of war, including the cyber dimension, which is becoming more significant every day. This new command will empower the IDF to perform better in these fronts and will utilize the technological and human advantage that already exists in Israel," said Eisenkot.
The decision will be submitted to the authorization of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, the IDF said.
The announcement of the new cyber command came a day after Israeli cybersecurity company ClearSky said it had uncovered a massive Iranian cyber attack against Israel.
Attacks were launched against 40 Israeli targets and 500 other targets worldwide, including against reserve generals in the IDF, a security consulting company, and researchers, the firm told Army Radio.
In April, security researchers claimed that hackers had managed to penetrate computer networks associated with the IDF.
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) revealed last year it had set up an elite cyber-defense unit to defend against an organized attack on Israeli cyberspace as well, and in September, the Israeli government set up its own National Cyber Defense unit.
Cyber-terror group Anonymous recently threatened Israel and Jews with an "Electronic Holocaust". The hacking campaign, scheduled for April 7 and known as #OpIsrael, had little success, however.