Tech companies step up following Hamas attack on Israel, as cyber assaults escalate

The escalating conflict threatens the recovery of Israel’s technology sector. Here’s how Australian and world tech companies are offering assistance.

Australia’s biggest technology companies have joined their global peers rallying behind Israel – a cradle of innovation within their sector – following Hamas’ “horrific and unthinkable acts of terror”.

Atlassian, which hosts regular events in Tel Aviv, has condemned the attack, and the $76bn software titan said such violence was “never justified”. It comes as more than 900 Qantas crew members have offered to operate flights to repatriate Australians, exceeding the 70 staff who were initially requested.

Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady has also sent a note to the telco’s staff expressing her support and offering employee assistance to anyone who might need it.

Globally, Microsoft, which has almost 3000 employees in Israel who it says have been directly affected by the attack, is volunteering its expertise, ranging from cyber security, artificial intelligence to data and research.

Microsoft’s senior leadership, headed by chief executive and chairman Satya Nadella, has “condemned this hatred and brutality”.

“I am profoundly saddened by the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel this weekend and the atrocities we continue to watch unfold,” Microsoft chief human resources officer Kathleen Hogan said.

“Together with the senior leadership team, I want to express my deepest sympathy for those who have been killed, injured, lost loved ones and all those impacted by this violence.

“Since the attacks unfolded on Saturday, we have been focused on the safety of our employees and their families in Israel and their overall wellbeing.

“We have Jewish employees around the world who are also experiencing grief, fear and anxiety as hatred and vitriol increase.

“We have Palestinian employees globally who are deeply concerned for the safety of their loved ones in the region and stand against these acts of terrorism.”

Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady says the telco is offering employees assistance. Picture: Luis Ascui

Israel consistently ranks in the top 10 of the world’s most innovative countries. The technology sector represents 14 per cent of the nation’s workforce and almost 20 per cent of its overall economic output.

The escalating conflict, after decades of turmoil in the region, threatens the recovery of Israel’s technology sector. Before the conflict, investment across the country’s tech start-ups had fallen due to a slowing of the global economy and several crises in the sector, including the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank – a vital source of funding – earlier this year.

The country’s tech sector has also protested against new laws passed in July that limit the court’s power to strike down government decisions, a move that will potentially spook investors.

University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, professor of computer science and cybersecurity John Hale told The Wall Street Journal cyber attacks against Israel have escalated in the past week, including on critical infrastructure, possibly with support from hackers in Iran.

Microsoft vice-chair and president Brad Smith said cyber defences were becoming vital in modern warfare, and the company was learning lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“When countries send code into battle, their weapons move at the speed of light. The internet’s global pathways mean that cyber activities erase much of the longstanding protection provided by borders, walls, and oceans,” Mr Smith said.

“And the internet itself, unlike land, sea, and the air, is a human creation that relies on a combination of public and private-sector ownership, operation, and protection.

“As a company, we are committed to supporting these efforts.”

Atlassian’s Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes have condemned the attack.

Atlassian does not run a subsidiary in Israel but has customers and runs events in the region. In a statement, it confirmed that all of its staff who were travelling through the country were safe.

“Atlassian condemns the brutal, horrific and unthinkable acts of terror that Hamas has committed,” the company said.

“The violence we have witnessed against innocent civilians – and any violent act meant to spread terror – is never justified and is against our common humanity and values. Our hearts go out to all the victims and their loved ones.

“We’re thankful that we’ve been able to confirm that all of our employees are safe, but broken hearted that so many have family members and loved ones directly affected and suffering.

“Our focus right now is on ensuring Atlassians have the support and resources they need, as well as providing assistance to our customers and partners in the region.”

More than 900 Qantas staff have offered to operate flights to repatriate Australians from Israel.

While global tech companies have rallied behind Israel, some have attracted criticism. European Commissioner Thierry Breton has written to Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk – owner of X, formerly Twitter – asking that they respond to the misinformation and graphic images about the conflict being distributed across social media.

“Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we are seeing a surge of illegal content and disinformation being disseminated in the EU via certain platforms,” Mr Breton said.

“I would ask you to be very vigilant to ensure strict compliance with DSA (EU Digital Services Act) on terms of service … and on the need for proportionate and effective mitigation measures.”