Israel will create a dual cyber security program to promote research and development to serve both civilian and defense goals, the PMO says.

The government is to create a dual cyber security program to promote research development that will serve both civilian and defense goals, the Prime Minister’s Office announced Wednesday.

The project, to be named MASAD, will be a joint effort of the Israel National Cyber Bureau and Ministry of Defense Directorate for Research and Development.

The program is intended “to strengthen and advance Israel’s capabilities in cyberspace, turn it into a leading country in cyber technology and thereby serve as a new growth engine for the Israeli economy,” the PMO said in a statement.

The new project will begin with a starting budget of NIS 10 million in the coming year. It is designed for all those involved in the cyber field, from start ups to established companies and academia, the PMO said.

“The plan is an additional stage in advancing the technological infrastructure of the State of Israel and turning it into a global cyber power,” said Dr. Eviatar Matania, head of the INCB. “Cooperation with the DDR&D as a leading agency in the field of defense R&D in Israel, as well as the NIS 50 million 3-year-plan to encourage academic research and the plan for boosting the cyber security industry in Israel – are a significant component en route to reaching this goal.”

MoD DDR&D director Ofir Shoham added, “The plan is an additional layer in the MoD’s preparations to meet the cyber challenges currently facing the State of Israel and will continue to be so in the future… The MASAD plan is expected to link technological vectors based on the know-how and capabilities of companies and academia with common defense and civilian needs.”

View original Arutz Sheva publication at: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161605#.UJKY34avPuY