Iranian Hackers Breach Israeli Nuclear Scientists' Data
Repeated cyber attacks on Israeli nuclear institutions indicate the conflict between the two countries is moving to new fronts
November 13, 2024, 9:32 pm

Iranian Hackers Breach Israeli Nuclear Scientists' Data

إسرائيل وإيران

The Israel Atomic Energy Commission revealed that its nuclear centers were subject to a large-scale cyber breach carried out by a hacker group likely linked to Iranian intelligence, leading to the leak of sensitive information about senior Israeli scientists and officials.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office, quoting the Commission in a statement, emphasized that a detailed examination of the leaked materials showed that the published images and maps have no connection to Israeli facilities, while noting that the leaked screenshots contain "technical materials related to the particle accelerator project at the Sorek Nuclear Research Center."

According to the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz," the hacker group succeeded in accessing personal information of a nuclear scientist who worked at the "Sorek" center, publishing images of his passport, along with names of other nuclear scientists involved in the particle accelerator project. They also leaked photos and documents belonging to a former director-general at the Ministry of Defense.

The newspaper indicated that the breach, which occurred in March, also included leaking personal information concerning a current ambassador and former military attaché in the United States, along with sensitive information about families of prominent Israeli officials, as the hackers managed to access government email servers, including servers belonging to the Atomic Energy Commission.

The leaked materials included about 30 photos believed to be taken from the nuclear scientist's phone or personal email, related to his activities as a radiation safety expert, along with several images of computer systems for the SARAF particle accelerator project revealing names of other nuclear scientists.

These leaks coincided with Israeli authorities announcing the arrest of dozens of Israelis in recent months on charges of cooperating with Iranian intelligence agencies, aiming to target senior Israeli officials, including a nuclear scientist. Observers note that assassinating an Israeli scientist, even if working in non-military nuclear research, would represent "a major psychological victory for Iran."

In a notable development, the National Cyber Security Authority and Israel Security Agency "Shabak" have maintained silence regarding these developments, while the hacker group continues to systematically leak sensitive personal information about current and former Israeli military and government officials for several months.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”