Cybersecurity

Meet Israel’s new cybersecurity hub

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv may be the most well known Israeli cities, but a new one is quickly gaining international acclaim. An ancient-made-modern city in southern Israel, Be’er Sheva, has become the center of Start-Up Nation’s quickly growing cybersecurity arm.
A major push by the government and private sector has transformed the desert town into a high-tech center with a special emphasis on cybersecurity. Dozens of startups have joined multinationals such as EMC/RSA, Lockheed-Martin (LM), and others in opening R&D labs there, and they have drawn in impressive talent. The result, to date, is a budding ecosystem of bright minds, dedicated to a common goal of developing world-class cybersecurity technology.
Dubbed the “Capital of the Negev Desert,” Be’er Sheva has been locally known as a dusty pit stop between Tel Aviv and tourist destinations in the south of Israel. However, that’s no longer the case. Low real estate prices and new transportation options, including advancements to railway and highway systems, are facilitating a southbound migration. Making the move are ordinary Israelis and tech gurus, as well as some government offices and parts of the Israeli Army (IDF). And then there is Ben Gurion University (BGU), which offers Israel’s top graduate program in cybersecurity.