technology & innovation in the idf

8/12/2019 Technology & Innovation in the IDF

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Educating the Future: Cyber Warfare and the NextGenerationPublished on: June 8, 2014

In an ever changing and interconnected world, the influence of computersis rapidly

increasing. The IDF is training Israels youth to battlecyber threatseven before they enter

the military.

Israel has been called the startup nation and is distinguished for producing the highest number

ofentrepreneursper capita in the world. As Israeli society becomes more connected to theinternet,cyber threatsare also becoming more prominent.

When we look at data centers and information systems, they are almost entirely located in the

cyber dimension. Everything can be attacked potentially. Everything is cyber, said Maj. Gen.

Uzi Moshkovitz, the head of the IDF Telecommunications Branch, in April.This puts a nation

such as Israel at great risk because it faces constant threats from its enemies which try to breach

this cyber infrastructure.
http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/25/startup-soldiers-from-the-idf-to-high-tech-success/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/25/startup-soldiers-from-the-idf-to-high-tech-success/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/25/startup-soldiers-from-the-idf-to-high-tech-success/


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Cyber defenseis also becoming increasingly important for the IDFsIntelligence Corps.In order

to prepare the next generation soldier for cyber warfare, the IDF has implemented programs to

educate high school students in information technologies, computer science, and cyber defense.

A Higher Standard of Technology Education

Last year, the IDF implemented the Heights Program, ahigh schoollevel education program for

students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The program is designed to teach high school

students the basics of cyber defense, explained Lt. Col. S., Head of the Cyber Education Branch

of the Intelligence Corps. By educating teachers and creating a demanding curriculum, the IDF is

raising the bar for cyber education. Better classes and better lessons will allow for better

preparation to make the students intocyber defense experts, Lt. Col. S. explained.

The 400 students who participate in the Heights Program face a challenging and demanding

workload of 900 hours. On a daily basis, they learn programming languages, networking

infrastructure, and how to deal withcyber threats. For example, the students analyze andresearch computer viruses to learn how they work, multiply, and infect computer systems. The

coursework is on par with undergraduate technology programs and pushes students to

becomethe best in the cyber field.
http://www.idfblog.com/2012/04/18/idfs-first-ever-cyber-defenders-history/http://www.idfblog.com/2012/04/18/idfs-first-ever-cyber-defenders-history/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/02/05/quiz-8-questions-see-can-idf-intelligence-officer/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/02/05/quiz-8-questions-see-can-idf-intelligence-officer/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/02/05/quiz-8-questions-see-can-idf-intelligence-officer/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/10/15/high-school-students-emerge-idfs-next-tech-pioneers/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/10/15/high-school-students-emerge-idfs-next-tech-pioneers/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/10/15/high-school-students-emerge-idfs-next-tech-pioneers/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/12/the-minds-behind-the-computers-and-the-army-that-trains-them/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/12/the-minds-behind-the-computers-and-the-army-that-trains-them/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2012/04/18/idfs-first-ever-cyber-defenders-history/http://www.idfblog.com/2012/04/18/idfs-first-ever-cyber-defenders-history/http://www.idfblog.com/2012/04/18/idfs-first-ever-cyber-defenders-history/http://www.idfblog.com/2012/04/18/idfs-first-ever-cyber-defenders-history/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/04/08/future-cyber-warfare-speech-head-idf-telecommunications-branch/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/12/the-minds-behind-the-computers-and-the-army-that-trains-them/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/10/15/high-school-students-emerge-idfs-next-tech-pioneers/http://www.idfblog.com/2014/02/05/quiz-8-questions-see-can-idf-intelligence-officer/http://www.idfblog.com/2012/04/18/idfs-first-ever-cyber-defenders-history/


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In order to create a high standard of learning in the classroom, the Cyber Education Branch puts

its educators through two rigorous courses of 200 hours before they teach material to the

students. Although the IDF trains the teachers, writes the syllabus, and provides the books and

lessons, soldiers do not actually teach in the classroom.

Similarly, the Fulfillment Program works with students in an after school and summer campsetting. According to Lt. Col. S, cyber experts must possess the passion and curiosity to

accomplish a variety of goals. The Fulfillment Program gives students the opportunity to make

use of these qualities and refine their cyber skills.

Skills for the Future

The cyber programs contribute directly to the studentsmilitary serviceand provide participants

with invaluable skills for the future. [These skills] can be used everywhere: In the army, in their

academic courses later on, or in the high tech industry. Its a high level of information and a

lifetime of knowledge that the students are gaining, concluded Lt. Col. S.

Overall, the Cyber Education Branch of the IDF Intelligence Corps is not only teaching students

to bolster national defense, but also giving them precious expertise that enables them to succeed

in the academic and working worldsafter their army service.

Battleground of the Future: Inside the Unit that Connects the IDFPublished on: May 19, 2014
http://www.idfblog.com/about-the-idf/idf-units/intelligence/http://www.idfblog.com/about-the-idf/idf-units/intelligence/http://www.idfblog.com/about-the-idf/idf-units/intelligence/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/25/startup-soldiers-from-the-idf-to-high-tech-success/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/25/startup-soldiers-from-the-idf-to-high-tech-success/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/25/startup-soldiers-from-the-idf-to-high-tech-success/http://www.idfblog.com/2013/06/25/startup-soldiers-from-the-idf-to-high-tech-success/http://www.idfblog.com/about-the-idf/idf-units/intelligence/

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