V Israeli cyber-security experts are helping to defend major banks and financial centres in Britain in the build up to Brexit, according to research.

Bicom, the Israel and Middle East think tank, published details of its findings yesterday and said Israeli experts were increasingly being hired to protect operations in the UK.

James Sorene, Bicom chief executive, said: “It is no surprise they are working with Israeli cyber security companies who are the outstanding market leaders in fintech security.”

One major Israeli cyber security firm Bicom spoke to said it currently worked with three of the four major UK banks. Both HSBC and RBS have research and development facilities in Israel, while Barclays works closely with a number of Israeli technology companies.

Another Israeli firm reported that, as well as banks, it was working on projects to secure critical infrastructure including hospitals and oil and gas rigs.

The research pointed to co-operation at government level and said Israel was seen “as a first-order partner in digital security”.