diff --git a/api/v1/networking.go b/api/v1/networking.go
index ceb76906..137cfd8f 100644
--- a/api/v1/networking.go
+++ b/api/v1/networking.go
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ var EastWestDefault = EastWest{
 
 var istioDefault = Istio{
 	Enabled:               false,
-	OperatorImage:         "istio-operator:1.17.3",
-	PilotImage:            "pilot:1.13.5",
+	OperatorImage:         "istio-operator:1.17.8",
+	PilotImage:            "pilot:1.17.8",
 	ExternalIP:            nil,
 	IngressSvcAnnotations: nil,
 	IngressSvcExtraPorts:  nil,