Israel Second in Global Cyberattack Rankings as Iran Targets 39%

Israel has become the second most targeted country in the world for cyberattacks, according to Microsoft's annual Digital Defense Report. The report shows that Israel accounted for 7.6% of global cyberattack activity in the first half of 2026, while the United States was the top target with 25.5%. In the Middle East and Africa region, Israel ranked first.

The report highlights that Iran is the primary attacker of Israel, with 39% of Iranian cyberattacks directed against it. The US ranks second in this category, followed by the UAE. Microsoft threat intelligence data reveals that Iranian attackers have been conducting large-scale campaigns against Israel and other Middle Eastern countries, while increasing their activity against the US and American interests.

The report notes a significant increase in ransomware incidents targeting Israeli organizations, with a 21% rise compared to the previous year. This is seen as part of a form of warfare that combines cyberactivity with geopolitical objectives. Iranian attackers have been using various methods, including exploiting security vulnerabilities, weak authentication mechanisms, and internet-exposed systems to gain initial access.

Microsoft emphasizes that organizations can no longer rely solely on blocking malware for their cybersecurity. Instead, they need to focus on continuous identity protection, strong authentication, rapid monitoring of unusual activity, and reducing the time between threat detection and response.