Protecting critical infrastructure: Israeli expertise in focus at security forum

Australia’s power grids, transport networks, ports and data centres are now frontline targets in a new era of cyber conflict.

That growing threat will be the focus of an upcoming security forum featuring Jeremy Ungar, Senior Trade Officer at the Israel Trade and Economic Commission in Australia, who will outline how Israeli cybersecurity innovation is helping protect critical infrastructure around the world.

Jeremy Ungar, Senior Trade Officer at the Israel Trade and Economic Commission in Australia, will speak on a panel examining the growing threats facing essential infrastructure including energy networks, transport systems, telecommunications and data centres.

The session, titled Protecting Critical Infrastructure – The Economy Drivers of Energy, Transport, Data Centres & Communication, forms part of the Security & Risk Professional Insight Series 2026 and will be broadcast online on 24 June.

The discussion comes amid increasing concern over cyber attacks targeting operational technology and industrial control systems that underpin modern economies. Governments and infrastructure operators across the Asia-Pacific region have faced mounting pressure to strengthen defences as transport networks, utilities and communications systems become increasingly digitised.

Ungar is expected to outline how Israel has built one of the world’s most concentrated cybersecurity sectors through cooperation between government agencies, universities and private industry.

Israel has emerged as a major player in global cybersecurity, with technologies developed there now used to protect power grids, ports, telecommunications networks and data centres in countries around the world.

According to Ungar, the Israeli model differs from traditional approaches because cybersecurity development is closely linked to national security priorities and operational experience.

“Securing critical infrastructure requires moving past traditional enterprise IT security and embedding resilience directly into operational technology,” he said.

“The State of Israel operates an ecosystem where homeland security, government and commercial innovators co-design solutions under real-world pressure.”

Ungar said the role of TradeIL Australia was to connect Australian organisations with Israeli technologies that have been tested in demanding operational environments.

The panel is expected to examine how governments and private sector operators can work together to reduce vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and respond more quickly to emerging cyber threats.

Organisers say the discussion will focus on practical measures to strengthen resilience across infrastructure supply chains and improve collaboration between countries facing similar security challenges.

The event is being presented by Space & Earth Partners and Advisory in partnership with MySecurity TV and MySecurity Marketplace. It will bring together specialists from across the security, risk management and critical infrastructure sectors.

TradeIL Australia, the commercial arm of the Embassy of Israel operating under the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry, promotes trade, investment and research partnerships between Australia and Israel, particularly in areas including cyber security, deep technology and operational technology.

The Security & Risk Professional Insight Series is an executive forum examining security, resilience and risk management issues affecting governments, infrastructure operators and industry leaders.

The virtual panel will be held on Wednesday 24 June at 1pm AEST. To register, email [email protected].