Cooperation with Israel: Federal Interior Minister plans “cyberdome” for Germany

The German government wants to establish a center for cyber defence together with Israel and significantly expand cooperation in the area of cybersecurity. This was announced by Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) during a visit to Israel, as reported by Tagesschau and others. A “cyberdome” is also to be developed together with Israel, with the name apparently referring to the Israeli missile defense system known as the “Iron Dome”. According to Dobrindt, this is also about civil defense to combine military and civilian defense capabilities.

Cooperation in various areas

Overall, Dobrindt has listed five specific areas in which cooperation with Israel is to be strengthened in terms of cybersecurity and security in general. In addition to cooperation on cyber defense with Israel, which is considered to be particularly advanced in this area, the report also mentions drone defense. Here too, expertise from Israel is to help. In addition, civil protection and the public warning system are to be expanded, an area in which Israel also has a great deal of experience. Furthermore, cooperation between the intelligence services is to be intensified. Finally, there is the plan for a joint center for cyber defense.

Israel has a lot of experience in the field of cybersecurity and civil protection, the country is repeatedly exposed to direct attacks – most recently including ballistic missiles from Iran, after Israel attacked the Islamic Republic to hinder the development of nuclear weapons. Dobrindt has now visited the small town of Bat Jam, south of Tel Aviv in Israel, where one such missile caused considerable damage and killed several people. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar assured him that there were no military installations anywhere near the town. The war between the two states is now considered to be over.

(mho)