Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has come a long way in terms of technological innovation, economic growth, and global impact. However, the last decade has been particularly remarkable as Israel transformed itself into a "Startup Nation." Last year, I was invited by the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Ilan Fluss, to join the annual Israel Cyberweek. I asked Ambassador Fluss what factors have contributed to Israel's transformation into a successful startup nation. He enumerated the five most important factors that helped Israel emerge as a global innovation powerhouse.

1. Military-Driven Innovation: Israel's mandatory military service has played a crucial role in fostering innovation, as many tech-savvy Israelis gain advanced technical skills and experience in cyber security, data analysis, and leadership through their service.

2. Government Support: The Israeli government has established several programs to support and encourage the growth of the startup ecosystem, such as the Israel Innovation Authority, which provides funding and support to early-stage startups.

3. Strong Education System: Israel's world-class universities and research institutions, such as the Ben-Gurion University at the Negev located in Beersheva, have provided a solid foundation for technological innovation, especially in the field of cybersecurity.

4. Culture of Entrepreneurship: Israeli culture encourages risk-taking and embraces failure as a learning experience, which has created a vibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurs can thrive.

5. Global Connections: Israel has strong connections with other countries and technology hubs worldwide, providing access to capital, talent, and markets.

Israel celebrates its 75th year of independence (photo from the Facebook page of Ambassador Ilan Fluss)

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Mandatory military service in Israel for 18-year-olds can last up to three years, with individuals selected for elite units, such as Unit 8200, based on their aptitude and performance. Unit 8200 is a prestigious signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cyber intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It is responsible for collecting and analyzing SIGINT and developing and implementing advanced technologies and intelligence capabilities. Soldiers in this unit undergo an intensive training program, including advanced coursework in computer science, mathematics, and cryptography.

Many soldiers who served in Unit 8200 later joined Israel's cybersecurity industry, one of the most advanced and innovative in the world. Their skills are highly valued by Israeli tech companies and international firms looking to tap into Israel's cybersecurity talent. The success of Israel's cybersecurity industry is due in part to the close collaboration between universities, research institutes, and private companies, as well as the country's investment in research and development and its culture of innovation.

A recent example of Israeli innovation comes from a student who reverse-engineered a printing protocol, making it appear like a mobile phone was a printer. By installing an app on a smartphone and using a drone to fly the phone near an office window, the student could access documents from individuals who believed they were sending print jobs to an office printer. However, printers requiring passwords for document printing could easily defeat this hack.

Another impressive project from Ben-Gurion University involved hacking into an air-gapped computer using AirHopper. Researchers found a way to leak data from a physically isolated computer to a remote mobile phone without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The data was transmitted through radio emissions from the computer's screen and received by the phone's built-in FM radio receiver.

Researchers from Cyber Ben Gurion University and Weizmann Institute of Science also developed a method for detecting whether a drone camera is recording a video or taking a photo. By applying a smart film on the glass window, they could identify when a drone was recording and activate the window's electronic blinds to block the view. This project, called "Game of Drones," is one of the first techniques for detecting drone camera activity.

Another groundbreaking research project from Ben-Gurion University involves bypassing AI facial recognition security cameras using a combination of digitally and physically applied makeup. This method fools some systems with a 98% success rate, as makeup is applied according to a heatmap identifying the most recognizable facial regions. The technique was tested in a simulated real-world scenario.

Lastly, researchers from Cyber@BGN found a technique for eavesdropping on conversations using publicly available equipment and any reflective object in the room. By pointing a sensor attached to a telescope at a shiny object in the room, visible vibrations on the object's surface can derive sounds and effectively listen to the conversation inside the room.

These advancements in cybersecurity and technology showcase the impressive skills and expertise developed by Israeli soldiers in elite units like Unit 8200. As Israel continues to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and investment in research and development, we can expect even more groundbreaking advancements in the future.

יום עצמאות שמח, ישראל