Netanyahu: Let's turn the Internet from a curse to a blessing

Day after Palestinian hackers reportedly breach government computers, PM touts Israeli cyber technology amid hazards of internet security.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Netanyahu at cyber conference (photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)
Netanyahu at cyber conference
(photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)
In the wake of a reported breach of Defense Ministry computers, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke of the importance of cyber security at an Israeli cybertech conference in Tel Aviv on Monday.
"The biggest challenge we face with the cyber world," stated Netanyahu, "is protecting the privacy and security of the public. There could be a serious breach."
Globes quoted the prime minister as saying: "There should be a sort of UN for the Internet. A coalition of the leading companies in the cyber world... and in my opinion Israel is the most advanced."
Netanyahu voiced his hopes of "turning the Internet from a curse to a blessing," and relayed his plans for the recently formed Cyber Division in the Negev city of Beersheba.
"The Cyber Division was formed so we can share these abilities with others," the prime minister added. "This plan will enable the growth of hundreds of cyber-tech companies that would not have existed otherwise. We see it as a cooperation between the government and the business world that we are committed to for the years ahead."
"This project is big, and reflects our vision to develop Israel with international cooperation. We all want to see a cyber world that is open, free and cooperative," said the prime minister, "When you think cyber, think Israel."