State Comptroller Warns of Major Cybersecurity Gaps Across Israeli Government Systems

New 2026 report finds deficiencies in cyber preparedness, digital services, and information security at key ministries and emergency agencies amid growing cyber threats

A sweeping new report by the Office of the State Comptroller has raised serious concerns over the cybersecurity readiness and digital resilience of Israeli government institutions, warning that critical public systems remain vulnerable despite years of government efforts to modernize online services and strengthen cyber defenses.

The report examines the state of cyber protection and information systems across several major public-sector bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Construction and Housing, emergency agencies, and the national digital services infrastructure. The findings point to widespread deficiencies in preparedness, risk management, oversight, and implementation of government policy.

The report emphasizes that digital infrastructure has become a core component of Israel’s national resilience, particularly in light of recent security crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Swords of Iron War. Government ministries, emergency services, and public authorities increasingly rely on digital systems, remote work platforms, and online citizen services to maintain operational continuity during emergencies.

According to the Comptroller, this rapid digital transformation has created new vulnerabilities that hostile actors are actively attempting to exploit. The report states that cyber protection and information security are now “cornerstones of good governance,” given the enormous volume of personal, financial, and security-related data held by public institutions.

One of the most severe findings relates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which the report describes as a high-value target for cyberattacks by hackers and hostile state actors. An audit conducted during the Swords of Iron war identified shortcomings in the ministry’s management and development of information systems, as well as weaknesses in cyber protection and information security oversight. Parts of the audit were classified by a Knesset subcommittee due to national security concerns.

The report also criticizes the slow implementation of Israel’s digital government strategy. Despite nearly 4.6 million citizens being registered in the national identification system, only 16% of mapped government services are connected to it. Just 23% of identified online forms are managed through the system, while only 233 government services have been integrated into the government personal area platform.

Local government integration remains particularly limited. Only 15 out of 258 local authorities have connected to the national identification system, significantly restricting the ability to provide unified and accessible digital services to the public.

Another chapter focuses on the Ministry of Construction and Housing, which manages millions of sensitive records related to citizens, housing beneficiaries, and contractors. Although the ministry allocated approximately NIS 6.5 million to information and cyber security in 2025 — roughly 9% of its computing budget — the audit found serious weaknesses in access authorization controls, risk management procedures, database registration compliance, and alert mechanisms.

The findings are especially notable given a roughly 130% increase in cyber alerts received by the ministry during 2024.

The report further examined remote work cybersecurity within agencies such as the Israel Police and the National Fire and Rescue Authority. Auditors identified gaps in cyber defense measures and conducted penetration testing on the Fire and Rescue Authority’s remote work systems, uncovering additional vulnerabilities.

The State Comptroller concluded that Israel’s transition toward an advanced digital government will require sustained investment in cyber infrastructure, tighter supervision, improved enforcement mechanisms, and closer coordination between public entities. The report warns that maintaining public trust and ensuring uninterrupted government services now depend heavily on the security and resilience of the country’s digital systems.