Israel National Cyber Bureau head Dr. Eviatar Matania, at the weekly Cabinet meeting, informed ministers that exports by Israeli companies in the cyber field were estimated to stand at approximately $ 3 billion in 2013 and constitute about 5% of the $60 billion global market. (By comparison, Israel’s exports are three times greater than the United Kingdom’s.)

Dr. Matania noted that in 2013, Israeli companies raised $165 million, which constitute 11% of funds raised worldwide in the cyber field. He added that 14.5% of companies that raise funds in the field are Israeli.

Dr. Matania said that Israel has 20 cyber research and development centers of multi-national companies and that approximately 200 start-ups are active in the field, of which 100 are new companies.

Dr. Matania said that in the wake of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s directive to advance the export of cyber technologies, staff work would soon be completed regarding the removal of impediments to cyber technology exports so as to encourage the industry further.

In his briefing, Dr. Matania gave an updated picture of the situation regarding the development of the national cyber park in Beersheva Sheva (CyberSpark) which will be the first area of its kind in the world to include leading companies in the field, security agencies, academic research centers, special educational frameworks that concentrate on the cyber field and relevant national government agencies.

At the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “We established the INCB in order to assist turning Israel into a major cyber power. When I say a major cyber power I mean cyber defense, and indeed this capability is being built, inter alia, by the work being coordinated by the INCB. We want to facilitate better defense for all strata of the country, which are becoming increasingly digitized. I see the INCB as spurring strong economic development, especially since there is considerable global interest in our abilities, and this can serve not only the defense component, but that of economic growth as well.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)