The rapidly escalating war between Israel and Hamas is forcing the Israeli tech industry to leave their desks and report for duty. Up to 15% of Israeli tech industry staff have been called up as reservists to serve in the Israeli military, according to the Financial Times. Yet, the Israeli cybersecurity industry is alive and well.
Israel: The Cybersecurity Startup Nation
Israel has built a reputation within the cybersecurity industry as a startup nation, with countless tech companies calling Tel Aviv home. Many global tech companies have research and development teams within Israel as the working population is highly desirable with rare skill sets and practical experience.
Unit 8200 as an Elite Cybersecurity Innovation Cell
Some of the most elite cybersecurity hackers in the world are part of Unit 8200, an Israeli Intelligence Corps unit of the Israel Defense Forces. You may not have heard of Unit 8200, but chances are you’ve heard of Stuxnet or Duqu–both attributed to Unit 8200. Many Israeli-based cybersecurity startups possess talent from former Unit 8200 members, and others enter the broader, global cybersecurity industry. Companies and solutions we’ve all heard of, from Waze, Palo Alto Networks, Wiz, CyberArk, and many others have all been founded by Unit 8200 alumni.
War, but Work Must Continue
Despite endless missile attacks, blaring alarms, and war atrocities across Israel, tech companies such as Spike, a workplace collaboration platform, put into place immediate plans for continuing operations. The confusion of the sudden and horrific Hamas attacks was soon replaced with a realization that employees must take appropriate measures for safety, and continue working when and where possible, and others will be reporting as military reservists.
Israel’s tech industry comprises one-fifth of the country’s annual gross domestic product. It is the largest economic output in the country, according to the Israel Innovation Authority. Tech workers make up 10% of the total labor force. Yet, the Israeli tech and people are fighters–and resistant.
According to a CNBC interview, Dvir Ben-Aroya, CEO of Spike, decided to postpone the launch of an artificial intelligence integration to the platform–but for only a week.
Pentera, a cybersecurity firm, had an all-hands meeting with 350 attendees on Monday morning. Those who felt they could not work or needed to evacuate were free to do so. Despite operating in 20 countries, Pentera has its largest employee base in Israel. The Pentera platform helps emulate cyberattacks and validate security controls.
Despite what many would describe as mass chaos and the fog of war, Israel’s commitment to preserving some sort of daily normalcy, and persevering despite an all-out regional war is incredible to see.
“Our innovation cycle hasn’t stopped, we are researching different areas. All of them are incredibly relevant for this time,” stated Nadav Zafrir, a former commander of Israeli Unit 8200.
Startup culture already promotes working long, unpredictable hours and reaching for incredible breakthroughs on limited resources. It is a culture of disruption, ambiguity, and fighting the odds.
Global Venture Capital Support for Israel
Yet, all of Israel’s tech industry acknowledges that right now, those that must serve will do so, while the rest of the willing continue doing business as close to usual as possible.
More than 300 venture capital firms signed a statement of support for Israel this week, with members including Bessemer Venture Partners, GGV Capital, Sequoia Capital, and General Catalyst.
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