Lockheed Martin announces investment in Israeli cyber security

US security contracting giant says new relationship "fosters applied research, continued growth in Israel’s technology sector."

By NIV ELIS
F-35 fighter jet 370 (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
F-35 fighter jet 370
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
American security contracting giant Lockheed Martin on Sunday announced it and EMC will invest in “advanced technology projects” in the fields of cloud computing, data analytics and related cyber technologies in Beersheba’s technology park.
“Our goal is to foster applied research and continued growth in Israel’s technology sector,” said Lockheed Martin vice president of international engineering and technology John D. Evans.
“We recognize evolving global needs, as well as the wealth of innovation taking place within Israel and its universities.”
The announcement comes ahead of Israel’s first cyber-security conference, meant to promote the country as a hub of digital security.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who has been pushing cyber security as an economic driver, attended a special conference on the issue at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday.
“In the hyper-connected world in which we live, there are endless opportunities which are challenged by relentless attacks,” he said. Israel has hundreds of companies that were established in recent years and that concentrate on defensive technologies, he said, and it is interested in sharing its knowhow.
In November, the Prime Minister’s Office joined with EMC to establish the tech park in Beersheba as a hub for security.
“Israel’s entrepreneurial and academic communities offer a unique combination of talent, innovation and pioneering spirit,” said Orna Berry, vice president and general manager of EMC’s Israel Center of Excellence. “We expect this collaboration with Lockheed Martin will help EMC continue to rapidly accelerate our important research and development and contribution to the success of Israel’s mission to be a leader in innovation on the global stage.”