Reflections from Tel Aviv: Cyber Resilience and Israel’s Post-October 7 Strength
A Firsthand Look at the Innovation, Unity, and Determination Fueling Israel’s Cybersecurity and Technology Ecosystem
This past week, I flew to Israel and immersed myself in the Israeli cybersecurity and technology ecosystem as part of the U.S. delegation to Israel for Cybertech and Cyber Week Tel Aviv. It’s always a pleasure to be a part of this vibrant community.
The trip was a lot to process, so I plan to break down my experience into a few sections for you to read this Saturday morning. I’ve deliberately made this article free for everyone—not just our paid supporters—because I want everyone in our community to have access to these observations. I value each of you—whether you contribute financially to the CyberHub Podcast or simply invest your time in reading or listening. There’s so much content out there, and I take your attention seriously. So, I’ll start by saying thank you for being part of our community.
I’m going to break this discussion into several categories. First will be my personal impressions of Israel post-October 7, because I believe it sets the stage for understanding how the Israeli cybersecurity and technology ecosystem thrives. Then, we’ll move on to the overarching technology scene, the collaboration between private and public sectors, the Israeli Export Institute, the Cybertech event, my panel on geopolitics and cyber, and finally, my closing thoughts.
Israel Post-October 7
Upon arriving, you can still feel a nation reeling from the events of October 7. Even as you taxi toward the airport terminal, you notice yellow ribbons for the 59 remaining hostages. Walking through customs, you see pictures and stickers of those still in Gaza. Exiting the airport, it’s even clearer: the country is coping with the aftermath of the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
If you ask Israelis about resilience, they’ll say it’s just part of everyday life—life in the only Jewish nation in the world, surrounded by hostile neighbors. On October 7, many people I spoke with left everything behind to protect Israel, whether through physical fighting (arming themselves against Hamas terrorists in southern Israel or helping guard the northern border from Hezbollah incursion) or stepping away from jobs and families to serve their country. Over the week, I met men and women who exemplify bravery, resilience, sacrifice, community, and unity.
One of the first things you realize in Israel is that everyone holds themselves accountable to each other. No one sees themselves as a hero, but as an American with Israeli roots—married to an Israeli, with family there—I can’t help but think they’re all heroes. It’s like they’re wearing invisible capes in a real-life story about defending democracy and preserving their way of life. Tel Aviv’s skyline still lights up each night with reminders of the 59 hostages and the number of days they’ve been held in Gaza: 533, 534, 535, and so on. Yellow ribbons and stickers demanding “bring them all home now” are everywhere.
I mention all this to underscore that these characteristics—resilience, unity, accountability—fuel the innovation, investment, risk-taking, talent, and creativity in Israel’s ecosystem. Many have tried to replicate this blend; few have succeeded. It’s evident from the logos on buildings in B’er Sheva, Herzliya, and Tel Aviv—household names that employ people who, since October 7, have worked tirelessly to keep the economy resilient, the population safe, and their way of life intact. As you walk through the streets—whether at Shuk HaCarmel in Tel Aviv, Nachalat Binyamin, Dizengoff, or elsewhere—you’re reminded of the 1,200 people murdered and the subsequent 700 soldiers who’ve lost their lives since. Stickers on poles, memorials on walls. All while people still gather at cafés, restaurants, and bars, trying to laugh and find normalcy amid tragedy.
There’s also political upheaval brewing beneath the surface: you sense a country struggling to regain its footing after experiencing the worst attack on Jews since WWII—an attack many vowed would “never again” be allowed to happen. Yet, it happened. Israel hasn’t even turned 80 as a nation, so its future is still being shaped. Over this week, I met individuals who will likely lead and define that future—economically, politically, and otherwise.
The Technological Ecosystem in Israel
Our delegation headed south on the first day, hoping to visit Kfar Aza and the Nova Music Festival memorial near the Gaza border. Tragically, due to ongoing conflict as the IDF works to bring home the 59 remaining hostages, we couldn’t get near that area. Instead, we went to B’er Sheva, often considered the cyber capital of the world and definitely the cyberhub of Israel (no pun intended). We visited the INCD (Israeli National Cyber Directorate) and the vibrant ecosystem around it.
I’d been to B’er Sheva about six years ago with a small delegation of CISOs during Cyber Week 2019. The development in just six years left me jaw-dropped. Yet, our visit started on a tense note: Sunday morning, before leaving Tel Aviv for B’er Sheva, the Houthis in Yemen fired a ballistic missile toward Tel Aviv, shaking us awake around 7:30 a.m. Later that same day, I found myself stuck in an elevator for the first time in my life, alongside a few colleagues, including the legendary Ira Winkler. We were only trapped for about two or three minutes, but you can bet it was entertaining to see Ira calling everyone to rescue us. Once the doors finally opened, we took the stairs to the third floor—who wants to risk the elevator again after that?
At the INCD, we saw firsthand how seriously the Israeli government takes cybersecurity. They have a dedicated line—119 (mirroring 911 in the U.S.)—for any Israeli citizen facing a cyber incident: account takeovers, ransomware, suspected phone hacks, extortion attempts, you name it. People can call in, and the INCD provides direct assistance—ranging from forensics and recovery to resilience advice. All these calls get logged and mapped to emerging cyber trends, which are then shared with adjacent Security Operations Centers (SOCs) in the same building—covering water, critical infrastructure, healthcare, government, and more. This close-quarters collaboration is something I envy as an American. We have CISA’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative and others, but given how many agencies we have, the same level of integrated cooperation feels nearly impossible.
Public-private collaboration in Israel is also unlike anything you see elsewhere. The government understands that if a business goes under due to a cyberattack, people lose jobs and the tax base shrinks. Thus, the government sees a vested interest in helping businesses bolster their defenses. Whether through direct assistance from the INCD or partnerships with MSPs and MSSPs, there’s a support system for post-incident recovery. I can’t share every detail, but what I can say is that the level of visibility and assistance provided to businesses is a model worth studying.
Driving away from B’er Sheva, I couldn’t help but think: Wouldn’t it be amazing to replicate this in every state back in the U.S.? Picture a similar environment in each state, centered around a flagship university that works hand-in-hand with local businesses, sharing R&D and fostering the same kind of collaborative ecosystem. It would be transformative.
The Israeli Export Institute and Its Collaboration with Businesses
On my second day, I spent the morning at the Israeli Export Institute in the heart of Tel Aviv, just minutes from the beach. I participated in a speed-dating session with some of the most innovative cybersecurity startups, a program flawlessly coordinated by Ofri and Josh Cohen at the Export Institute. They hosted over 40 delegations during Cyber Week, connecting them with Israeli companies solving modern enterprise cybersecurity challenges.
I encountered familiar faces and discovered new ones, each demonstrating how they solve pressing issues for CISOs like me. One founder had developed an MDR solution specifically for OT networks; another focused on safely deploying AI in enterprise environments. Every company I spoke to had precisely the kind of solution I’d requested to learn more about, and each one showcased a unique blend of expertise and passion.
Cybertech and the Entire Ecosystem
From Monday afternoon until I left on Thursday, I lived within the Israeli tech and cyber ecosystem. I met young stealth startups looking to tackle established problems with new technology, and I spoke with venture capitalists (VCs) funding these high-risk ventures.
Here are my key observations:
Talent Abounds: Founders, engineers, architects—everyone’s bringing intense focus, maturity, and real-world experience. A 24-year-old Israeli founder often has the professional and personal maturity of someone much older due to their military service and the pressures of life in Israel.
Driving Momentum: The success of Wiz, recently acquired by Google for $32 billion, was top of mind for many. People are calling it Israel’s largest exit to date, and it sets a new benchmark. Instead of seeing that figure as unattainable, founders and investors treat it as a challenge—“How can we eclipse Wiz’s $32 billion record?”
VC Engagement: Israeli VCs maintain incredibly close relationships with talent—often well before they exit the military. They’re open to brainstorming, funding, and fostering ideas. This dynamic is fueled by local and international (U.S., European) investment partners, reinforcing a consistent pipeline of innovation.
Collaboration Over Competition: At one event, I met three startups all tackling the same problem space. Yet, the three founders were chatting, laughing, and sharing personal stories. That sense of community is palpable everywhere—people open doors for one another, share resources, and genuinely root for each other’s success.
On Tuesday night, at the TLV Partners reception, I witnessed what I can only describe as quintessential Israeli resilience. Mid-dessert, a siren went off, warning us of another Houthi ballistic missile launch toward Israel. Everyone calmly moved inside to the safe area while Iron Dome (or rather David’s Sling) intercepted the missile some 20 or 30 miles north, visible in the sky. Within minutes, the all-clear sounded, and people went right back to the rooftop to pick up where they left off—discussing deals, forging relationships, and sharing laughs.
To me, that’s cybersecurity resilience personified. You weather the incident, ensure safety, and then resume operations without missing a beat. If organizations worldwide adopted even a fraction of that mindset, cybersecurity would be in a much stronger position.
My Cybertech Panel
On Wednesday afternoon, I joined a panel with cybersecurity legends to talk about geopolitics and cyber—one of my favorite topics. The panel featured experts from Israel, Ukraine, the U.S., and Canada. We dove into cyber warfare, cyber resiliency, and what can be done diplomatically to mitigate these attacks.
Tom Alexandrovich Executive Director, Defense Division at INCD detailed the flood of attacks Israel has faced since October 7. The war wasn’t just about Hamas’s brutal attack that claimed 1,200 Israeli lives, followed by roughly 780 soldiers killed in subsequent battles. It spanned seven fronts: ballistic missiles from Iran, Hezbollah from the north, attacks from Iraq, Houthi rockets from Yemen, threats within Judea and Samaria—and the eighth front was cyber. Israel faced over 5 million cyberattacks, with 15,000 deemed significant threats to infrastructure or economic stability. The 119 hotline and INCD collaboration helped neutralize many before they could cause major damage.
Ukraine’s representative Victor Zhora, Former Deputy Head of State Special Communications Service, explained how Russian cyber operations target Ukrainian infrastructure, accompanied by disinformation and misinformation campaigns. Their experience has been shared with Israel post-October 7, as Iran and its proxies seemingly mirrored Russia’s tactics—but Ukrainian collaboration helped Israel repel those efforts.
Ram Dor (one of my own mentors) spoke about securing modern weapon systems, underscoring that advanced technology demands higher cybersecurity sophistication—whether for Iron Dome, David’s Sling, or even the smart bombs mounted on aircraft.
I wrapped up our panel by noting how economic sabotage through cyberattacks can be a potent weapon. Disrupting Israeli companies or breaching data to undermine confidence can lead to serious economic harm—exactly what these threat actors want. The big takeaway? No global institution effectively prevents nation-state cyber espionage or crime. NATO and the UN can issue statements, but enforcement is toothless. Real defense comes down to three pillars:
Deterrence: A foreign policy that promises reciprocal or stronger action if attacked.
Resilience: Being prepared to withstand incidents with minimal damage.
Collaboration: Private-public partnerships that limit the impact of geopolitical opponents targeting critical economic sectors.
We need international cooperation in the form of sharing intel, running joint exercises, and so forth. But a “Cyber UN” or “Cyber NATO” has no real power to stop aggression or make any real impact.
Conclusion
As I wrap up these reflections, I keep circling back to a few key takeaways:
Human Capital: We often label the human element the weakest link in cybersecurity, but in Israel, it’s the strongest link. Collaboration, curiosity, and grit define an incredibly talented workforce, backed by smart investors who nurture real technological breakthroughs. This isn’t limited to cybersecurity. Healthcare, AI, quantum computing, workforce development—Israel applies that same collaborative energy across industries.
Resilience: If the dictionary had a photo next to “resilience,” it would be the Israeli people and the State of Israel. Their entire history, right up through October 7, demonstrates an unbreakable spirit. One story that captures this: I spoke to a startup founder just before October 7 who planned to connect with me the following week. The CEO—formerly an intelligence officer—was called up for reserve duty immediately after the attacks. He worked 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. at an intelligence post for nearly a year. Yet he and his co-founders still ran their startup during his “off” hours. Today, that company is experiencing remarkable growth. That’s grit and dedication you can’t teach.
The Ecosystem: From the most seasoned veterans of the cyber industry to the newest innovators, everyone in Israel is part of one interconnected ecosystem. VCs, founders, customers, and academic institutions unite to share ideas and resources. Doors open easily, introductions happen naturally, and the guiding question is, “How can I help you get there?” rather than, “What can you do for me?” This spirit of collaboration is embedded in the culture, and it’s precisely why Israeli tech continues to flourish.
Leaving Israel on Thursday morning, walking to the terminal after clearing customs, I was once again confronted with pictures, scarves, and notes for the 59 hostages still in Gaza. It’s a haunting reminder that the conflict is very personal and far from over. I sat on the plane, looked down at the shimmering Tel Aviv shoreline, and felt the usual tug: I’ll be back in a few months, but it’s never easy to leave.
Ultimately, this visit was unforgettable, from witnessing the country’s unity in crisis to seeing firsthand how that unity fuels innovation. I hope these insights illuminate why Israel stands at the forefront of cybersecurity and technology—driven by human resilience, unwavering collaboration, and a relentless determination to survive and thrive.