The biggest cyber industry event outside of the American RSA Conference took place in Israel this past January. The Tel Aviv Exhibition Center hosted Cybertech for the third year in a row. The conference brought together cyber specialists including international companies, student cryptographers and network security experts.
Israel's geopolitical situation and numerous cyberattacks have made cybersecurity an imperative. Cybertech is part of the Jewish state's efforts to become a leader in the field. Israel is now home to close to 250 cyber companies and Israeli schools have also joined the movement.
Ben-Gurion Leads the Way
One of Cybertech's academic sponsors, Ben-Gurion University (BGU), is a pioneer in the field. At the 2016 conference, the Beersheba-based school announced the launch of its Data Mining and Business Intelligence summer school for foreign students. BGU President Rivka Carmi explains, "The world is increasingly looking to Israel for cybersecurity and BGU has become a major player in the field both nationally and internationally."
The world is increasingly looking to Israel for cybersecurity.
(R. Carmi)
"Every year, we admit 40 students to Israel's first graduate program in cybersecurity," says BGU Information Systems Engineering Department Chair Bracha Shapira. "Students may have army or industry experience or may come with a Bachelor's degree. We also have 15 PhD students researching cybersecurity and data analysis." Additionally, Tel Aviv University offers a Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity and engineering schools like the Sami Shamoon College of Engineering have specialized courses.
Cybersecurity: the Next Generation
Israel is teaching cybersecurity to younger and younger Israelis. Three years ago, a special cyberdefense program began training handpicked groups of students ages 16-18. The participants complete eight hours of coursework per week from tenth to twelfth grade.
The program began in cities such as Beersheba and Acre, located on Israel's outskirts. Its goal is to train teens so they will be ready to fight in the cyber war alongside members of Israel's military and intelligence communities.
