In April 2009, Military Intelligence conducted an exercise meant to test
security at Israel Air Force bases. Officials said soldiers in civilian garb
entered a secret air force base in southern Israel and stole a computer and
codes.
"Inspections are part of the exercises that the IAF conducts in a wide
range of issues, including information security," a military statement said.
"These inspections are carried out frequently."
The statement said MI's Information Security Unit conducted the
exercise. The infiltrators were said to have broken into operations rooms,
stole identity cards from squadron commanders as well as a laptop computer
that contained classified information.
Hamas and Hizbullah, believed to be working for Iran and Syria, have
sought to penetrate military bases. In 2009, the air force base at Nevatim
was infiltrated at least four times by Palestinian operatives.
"The IAF puts a special emphasis on information security and preventing
it from reaching unauthorized elements," the military statement said. "The
inspections were meant to prepare the bases and to uncover flaws in order to
avoid them in the future."
The Israel Army has also reported serious security problems in bases
near the Gaza Strip. Military sources said an army unit held an exercise in
which soldiers infiltrated several bases without difficulty and grabbed
highly
classified material.
The sources said the army's Southern Command court-martialed several
soldiers. They said the biggest security lapse was reported at the army base
at Keren Shalom along the borders with Egypt and the Gaza Strip.