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Israel’s power grid targeted by massive cyber attack

Foreign hackers attempted to infiltrate Israel’s energy grid during a severe winter storm.

By: JNS.org
Yuval Steinitz

Minister Yuval Steinitz. (Marc Israel Sellem/POOL)

Israel was hit with a massive cyber attack that targeted the country’s electrical grid over the past few days, Israeli Minister of Infrastructure, Energy and Water Yuval Steinitz revealed.

“Yesterday we identified one of the largest cyberattacks that we have experienced,” Steinitz said Tuesday during the CyberTech 2016 conference at the Tel Aviv Trade Fair and Convention Center, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Steinitz said the computer virus was neutralized by his ministry and by Israel’s National Cyber Bureau.

The attack came amid record-breaking energy usage as Israelis weathered a recent cold snap, in addition to snow, sleet, and rain. Israel’s Electric Corporation reported a demand of 12,610 megawatts on Tuesday as temperatures dipped below freezing.

“I can tell you that the virus was identified and software was activated to neutralize it,” Steinitz said.

“This is a fresh example of what we need to be prepared to face at any time,” he added.