Federations Ramp Up Defense Against Computer Hacking

By JTA November 29, 2012

The security arm of the Jewish federations network is intensifying training to resist cyber attacks in the wake of a wave of such attacks on synagogue websites.

“In the most recent round of cyber-attacks against American Jewish websites on November 23rd, upwards of fifty (50) synagogue websites were hacked and linked to anti-Semitic websites,” said a memo distributed Wednesday by Paul Goldenberg, the director of the Secure Community Network, an affiliate of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

“A group referring to themselves as Moroccan Ghosts claimed credit and has reportedly hacked dozens of Israeli and American websites,” Goldenberg said. “The Facebook page of Moroccan Ghosts includes graphics reading ‘Free Palestine,’ as well as an Israeli flag ripped in half and on fire.”

Because of these attacks as well as other attacks over the summer, including a March attack by “Anonymous” on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee website and an attack in August on a Pennsylvania Jewish day camp website, SCN is “ramping up” its training, the memo said.

“This training effort will ensure IT professionals are provided with the proper tools, processes, technology recommendations and cyber security protective measures and defenses to increase their cyber security posture,” it said.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO