Israel is the second most targeted country in the world by cyberattacks, according to Microsoft

Israel has become one of the main global targets of cyber operations, according to data from the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2026, published by the American giant and analyzed this Monday by the Israeli press.

According to this data, 210 cyber-related events attributed to state actors were observed targeting Israel during the period studied. The country thus ranks behind the United States, which tops the list with 531 recorded events.

Taiwan ranks third with 193 events, ahead of Japan with 172. Israel, meanwhile, holds the top position among targeted countries in the Middle East and Africa.

The report highlights the ongoing operations conducted by actors linked to several states, notably Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. These campaigns aim to gain lasting access to sensitive systems, gather intelligence, or disrupt infrastructure.

For several years, Israel has been a prime target of groups linked to Iran. Cyber operations, in particular, enable Tehran to conduct espionage and disruption activities while staying below the threshold of conventional military confrontation.

The phenomenon also directly affects Israeli businesses and individuals. According to reported data, the country has recorded a 21% increase in ransomware attacks since 2025.

Microsoft is simultaneously observing a rapid transformation of the threat landscape with artificial intelligence. AI enables attackers to accelerate certain phases of their operations, further automate their campaigns, and exploit discovered vulnerabilities more quickly.