Filenews 23 November 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Water security is one of the most critical areas of natural resource management and national security. Danny Lacker, Head of the Israel Water Agency's Water Security, Emergency Preparedness and Cybersecurity Directorate, talks about the current challenges, threats and opportunities for cooperation between Israel and Cyprus. Mr. Dr. Lacker was on our island, at an event held at the CCCI, in collaboration with the Cyprus-Israel Business Association and the Embassy of Israel, presenting Israel's pioneering practices in water resources and crisis management, with the aim of safe and adequate availability of water resources. He gives answers about cloud seeding as a method of increasing rainfall, but also how important cooperation between the two countries is.
Danny Lacker served for many years in the Israeli armed forces. He retired with the rank of colonel in the combat engineer corps. He ran one of the largest private security companies in Israel and worked as a security officer in a municipal water utility. His experience allowed him to get to know all the stages of the field. When he joined the Water Service, he found a significant gap in the safety of water facilities. This is how he created the unit that is now responsible for the security, readiness and cyber protection of the Israeli water supply system. Over time, he realized that the main challenges come not only from natural phenomena, but also from technical problems or conflicts with neighbouring countries. In recent years, cybersecurity has become one of the biggest risks to water infrastructure.
What are the main threats Israel faces today in the field of water security?
Israel and Cyprus face common natural hazards, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, due to our geological position on the Syria-Africa fault line and the influence of climate change.
At the same time, there are also geopolitical threats, mainly from Iran, which has launched many cyberattacks against Israeli infrastructure, including water supply systems. These phenomena are currently the greatest challenges to water security.
–How is cybersecurity integrated into the protection of water infrastructure?
-For us, cybersecurity is one of the threat scenarios that need to be addressed. It doesn't matter if it's an earthquake, physical attack, or cyberattack. The aim is always to maintain an uninterrupted water supply and the operation of the drainage.
We examine every possible scenario and plan ways to prevent and respond. In essence, whether the threat is physical or digital, the result can be the same, a pump stopping working, or water quality being altered. Therefore, cyber protection is an integral part of the overall security of infrastructure.
–You have participated in international aid missions for water crises. What experience stands out to you?
-In 2020, we sent an aid mission to the Bahamas, on the island of Grand Bahama, with a population of about 30,000 inhabitants. The floods had polluted their underground wells with seawater, leaving them without drinking water.
We transported desalination equipment and a special team from Israel, 6,000 miles away. We provided clean water to residents and helped local technicians restore wells. We left the equipment to them and trained them to use it themselves. It was a mission that proved what real cooperation and solidarity mean.
–How can Israel and Cyprus work together to address common hydrological challenges?
-We are neighbours, just a 45-minute flight separates the two countries. We share similar challenges, such as natural disasters and cyber threats.
I believe that meaningful cooperation is based on knowledge of each other's systems. If we know how each other's network works, we can respond promptly to crises.
Joint exercises, exchange of know-how and constant communication are needed. So, when the "flag is raised", we will both be ready to act.
–What is the role of technology and innovation in water security?
-Modern water supply systems are highly technological. Developments in control and IT systems are rapid. To stay safe, we need to constantly update our technologies and analyze threats every day.
A solution that worked two years ago may not be effective today. Cooperation with industry is essential, the government cannot face all the challenges alone. If we extend this cooperation with Cyprus, the benefits will be mutual.
How is Israel preparing for future scenarios such as climate change, drought or cyberattacks?
-Preparing for climate change and droughts requires long-term planning with the prediction of the worst possible scenario. Backup systems and multiple capabilities are needed. Even if it costs more, it is necessary.
Cybersecurity is a shorter-term challenge. The most important thing is awareness: many water professionals do not realize how often attempts are made to penetrate their systems.
It takes discipline, training and strict adherence to procedures. It is not enough to invest in technology if you leave a note with the code on the computer. We need to be rigorous and innovative at the same time.
What message would you like to send to the policymakers and businessmen of Cyprus?
-The first and most important message is awareness. Cyber threats are real and growing. They can come from hackers who want to prove something, cause political unrest, or reap financial benefits. Even a false news that "water is not safe" can cause panic. We must therefore recognize that the threats exist and prepare properly through technology, politics and proper organization.
–What is your opinion on cloud seeding as a method of increasing rainfall?
In Israel this method has been widely used in the past, but it has proven to be not cost-effective. It also presents environmental issues related to the materials used and their impact on the soil. The result is limited and the cost is high. That is why we prefer other, more sustainable solutions to enhance water resources.
–After your visit to Cyprus, how do you see the future cooperation between the two countries?
-I realized how close we are, not only geographically, but also functionally. Our systems are different but also similar. We can cooperate in joint exercises, trainings, exchange of know-how and utilization of technologies that exist in Israel and can be applied in Cyprus and vice versa. When more people work together, better ideas and more effective solutions emerge.
-During the event at the CCCI, speaking about the exchange of know-how between the Israel Water Agency and the Water Development Department, you said characteristically: when you don't have sugar at home, you go to the neighbour...
-Exactly. We are neighbours. We are only separated by 45 minutes of flight. We have desalination plants just like you, we have water supply and wastewater management companies like you. There are differences, but we can learn a lot from each other.
– What is the main conclusion from your meetings with the Cypriot water management authorities?;
What stood out is that water security, resource adequacy and climate change are common major challenges for the future. Both countries understand this and it is important that we continue to work closely together in these areas.
