Imagine this: a staggering two petabytes of data—equivalent to 100 National Libraries of Israel—have been stolen from Israelis in recent years. This isn’t just a breach; it’s a digital heist of epic proportions. In an exclusive interview with The Jerusalem Post, Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) Chief Yossi Karadi revealed this jaw-dropping figure, highlighting the alarming escalation in cyber threats. But here’s where it gets even more unsettling: the scale of these attacks has grown from megabytes to petabytes in record time, leaving many wondering if anyone is truly safe in the digital age.
To put this into perspective, the entire National Library of Israel holds just 20 trillion bytes of data. Hackers have essentially pilfered the equivalent of 100 such libraries, a feat that underscores the sophistication and audacity of modern cybercriminals. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about stealing data; it’s about manipulating entire societies. Karadi also pointed out a 35% surge in phishing attacks and a staggering 170% increase in cyber influence operations in 2025. Is this the new battleground for global power struggles?
Phishing attacks, which trick individuals into handing over sensitive information, remain a favorite tool for hackers. But cyber influence campaigns are where things get truly insidious. These aren’t about stealing money or data directly; they’re about shaping public opinion to achieve political or strategic goals. Think Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election—a prime example of how digital manipulation can disrupt democracies. But is this just the tip of the iceberg? Could your own opinions be shaped by unseen digital forces?
Last week, the INCD and Shin Bet issued a chilling warning: since mid-2025, Israeli government officials, security personnel, academics, and media figures have been targeted in hundreds of highly sophisticated cyber attacks. Much of this surge has been attributed to Iranian intelligence, but Israel is far from alone in facing this threat. In August-September 2025, British automotive giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) suffered one of the most devastating cyber attacks in history, losing nearly two billion pounds and halting global production for a month. Are we witnessing the rise of cyber warfare as the new global crisis?
To combat this, Karadi is pushing for a groundbreaking cyber law that would define the INCD’s powers and mandate 63 minimum defense requirements for critical infrastructure providers. Companies would also be required to report “grave” cyber threats in real-time. The bill, proposed on January 25, is racing against the clock to pass before the upcoming election season. But will it be enough? And what happens if it fails?
As Karadi’s interview with The Jerusalem Post continues, one thing is clear: the digital frontier is more dangerous than ever. Are we prepared for the battles ahead, or are we already losing the war? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation we can’t afford to ignore.
