Britain and Israel have signed a new agreement that guarantees increased cooperation in cyber security.
10 years’Memorandum of understanding‘Signed yesterday (November 29) in London by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. Among the provisions is a commitment to forge a closer alliance on cyber and technology, to “help ensure that future standards of new technology will shape democracies.”
In a joint article published in Daily Telegraph, Truss and Torch said the two countries would “work closer” to protect themselves in cyberspace. In addition, Israel will become a one-level cyber partner for the UK, allowing them greater access to the UK market. The two added that “our partnership will keep us at the forefront of the technological revolution.”
The agreement follows numerous warnings from Western government officials that liberal democracies should work together to ensure the Internet is open and secure, while resisting attempts by countries like China and Russia to restrict access and maximize control.
However, the agreement between the UK and Israel drew criticism due to disputes over the Israeli spyware developer NSO Group. Last week, Apple announced that it was the latest technology giant to sue the company following allegations that its Pegasus spyware was installed on the devices of journalists, activists, dissidents, academics and targeted government officials. Earlier this month, the NSO Group was added to a blacklist of U.S. exports designed to prevent it from buying components from U.S. companies.
Trus and Lapid’s joint statement also stressed that the two countries would work “night and day to prevent the Iranian regime from ever becoming a nuclear power.” Yesterday, Data Security It was reported that last month’s cyber attack that paralyzed Iran’s gas stations was attributed to Israel by two unknown American defense officials.