Israel remains a leader in cyber security, constantly setting a new standard as this becomes perhaps among the major threats faced by a nation in the 21st century.

As such, a new program has been launched, exhibiting the country’s commitment to cyber security, as resources are being dedicated to CyberSpark, and up to NIS 5 million per year for each year in the coming years. The Israel Innovation Authority, the Israeli Ministry of Economy & Industry, and the National Cyber Directorate, have launched a dedicated program to strengthen Israel’s cyber industry at a scope of NIS 90 million over the next three years

Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry, Eli Cohen: “The joint program launched by the Israel Innovation Authority and the Cyber Directorate will ensure that Israel continues to meet the cyber sector’s biggest challenges, secure our place at the forefront of innovation, and bolster Israel’s global leadership in this critical industry.”

Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, Yigal Unna: “This program expresses the government’s ongoing commitment to preserving and strengthening Israel’s global cyber leadership, one of the most significant engines of the hi-tech industry’s growth. The program is dedicated to addressing the cyber industry’s unique challenges, with an eye towards the future. A significant part of the investment will be directed toward upgrading CyberSpark, the Israel Cyber Innovation Arena in Beersheva, to further strengthen its position as a global cyber hub. Together with the Israel Innovation Authority, we will enable Israel’s cyber industry to continue leading the way in global technological innovation.”

The program consists of three parts:
• Investment in technologies with “gamechanger” potential on a global level;
• Funding support for companies moving from the development stage to the testing and demonstration stage;
• The allocation of resources to CyberSpark and up to NIS 5 million per year for the project.

Support for pilot programs – A program intended to enable trial runs of innovative cyber technologies, examine their scalability and viability among major clients, to enable companies to prepare go-to-market strategies, and facilitate market penetration by implementing their technologies in test sites. As part of this program, companies are eligible to receive:

• Up to 30% financing for a program with an approved budget of up to NIS 1 million for a single pilot in Israel.
• Up to 50% financing for a program with an approved budget of up to NIS 1.5 million for a single pilot outside Israel.
• Up to 50% financing for a program with an approved budget of up to NIS 2.5 million for two pilots outside Israel.

The program is intended for Israeli cyber technology companies who have developed a product/service that has not yet been launched in Israel and is still undergoing development. In terms of technology readiness level (TRL), the program aims to promote cyber companies with a TRL of 4/5 (validation in laboratory) to a level of TRL 7/8 (actual system qualified through test and demonstration).

In addition, the Israel National Cyber Directorate and the Israel Innovation Authority will jointly promote the creation of innovation arenas in sectors undergoing significant digital transformations that expose them to cyber threats (e.g. health, transportation, finance, etc.). The innovation arenas will convene international industrial players, regulators, academics, and Israel’s cyber industry to create solutions for tomorrow’s cyber challenges and preserve Israel’s global cyber leadership.

The new programs are designed to encourage the creation and growth of whole, sustainable cyber companies in Israel through the promotion, development, and commercialization of innovative technological solutions. This program is an additional tier of the new support programs offered by the Israel Innovation Authority in cooperation with government ministries and other agencies, which already include support for pilot programs in environmental protection, health, and transportation.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)