April 2016 marked the official beginning of the National Cyber Defense Authority (“the Authority”). Its primary function is “to direct, operate, and execute as needed all defensive and operational efforts at the national level in cyberspace, based on a systemic approach, to allow a full and constant defensive response to cyberattacks, including the handling of cyberspace threats and cyber events in real time, formulation of a current situation assessment, gathering and research of intelligence, and work with the special institutions” (Government Decision No. 2444 of February 15, 2015). The director of the Authority is subordinate to the head of the National Cyber Staff, who is defined as the head of the national cyberspace operation.
