Lockheed joins Israel’s CyberSpark Initiative to bolster local ICT partnerships

Lockheed Martin has collaborated with EMC, Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) and BGN Technologies, as part of the Israel’s CyberSpark Industry Initiative, in a bid to bolster its ICT partnership.

The non-profit organisation is mainly aimed at strengthening public-private partnerships in the country in addition to international industry partnerships.

Lockheed Martin Israel chief executive Joshua Shani said: "This is another step in Lockheed Martin’s plans to develop additional partnerships with the information, communications and technology industry and academia in Israel.

"We believe that Lockheed Martin will play a key role in establishing Israel as a globally-respected cyber center via a significant contribution of skills, experience and inward investment in jobs."

The initiative manages joint cyber industry activities with several government agencies, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) and academia.

CyberSpark Industry Initiative managing director Roni Zehavi said: "Welcoming Lockheed Martin to the Cyber Spark Initiative is another important pillar in establishing Israel as a key region for cyber excellence."

By leveraging the major potential in the field of cyber technology, exploit the growth in Beer-Sheva, CyberSpark will market the region as a global cyber centre and support more joint academia-industry research studies.

Further, the initiative will also encourage the development of plans to hire and develop the talents of local cyber specialists and pull further local and national investment in the region.