In Israel, tech and cybersecurity businesses operate in an environment where the potential for conflict is always present, given the nation’s mandatory military service requirements. Recent events like the attack by Hamas have raised concerns for the country’s cybersecurity sector, which includes companies like Check Point and Cybereason.
Despite the disruption caused by sirens warning of incoming missiles, companies like Check Point have adapted and remain functional, with many employees in Israel. The Israeli cybersecurity startup market, one of the world’s largest, faced a significant decline in funding due to various factors, including global venture funding reductions and political tensions. While the cyber market remains resilient, the impact of the ongoing war on Israel’s economy is expected to be significant.
Cybersecurity companies operating in Israel must not only manage the impact of the war on their operations but also protect their customers from a rising number of cyberattacks, primarily originating from pro-Palestinian and pro-Russian hackers. Israeli websites have been the target of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, temporarily disrupting their availability.
Although cyberattacks are now considered a part of modern warfare, the impact on Israel has been relatively minor so far. Various hacktivist groups from around the world have participated in DDoS attacks against Israeli websites, highlighting the complex challenges faced by Israel’s cybersecurity sector in times of conflict.
