Roey Gilad
Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, emphasised the significance of Israel’s rapidly expanding cybersecurity industry during his address at the Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) summit.
He said with over 500 companies operating in this sector, Israel has attracted more than $3.5 billion in investments from both private and public sources, accounting for a remarkable 75% of the nation’s overall high-tech investments.
“The success of Israel’s cybersecurity sector can be attributed to a strong collaboration among four key elements: the military, academia, the private sector, and the government,” Ambassador Gilad stated.
He highlighted that while the government’s role is crucial, its primary contribution lies in coordinating these elements rather than interfering with their operations.
Mr. Gilad noted that this synergy has positioned Israel as a global leader in cybersecurity, with the industry representing approximately 30% of the nation’s high-tech sector.
“Cybersecurity is a global challenge that requires international cooperation,” he said, adding that Israel is engaged in cross-border collaborations to share intelligence and develop strategic solutions.
The ambassador pointed out that Israel’s experience in cybersecurity has shown that success hinges on cooperation between governments, academia, and the private sector. He revealed that in 2024 alone, Israel recorded over 17,000 cyberattacks, marking a 24% increase from the previous year. To counter these threats, the country’s security directorate operates 119 centres dedicated to detecting and responding to cyber incidents.
Highlighting Israel’s international partnerships, including collaborations with tech giants like Google, Ambassador Gilad expressed optimism about potential partnerships with Ghana. “We invite you to explore collaborations in areas such as cloud security solutions and threat intelligence, our experience in threat intelligence can benefit Ghana’s cybersecurity efforts.” he said, emphasising the relevance of Israel’s cybersecurity expertise to Ghana’s needs.
Department Head for Africa and the Middle East at the Foreign Trade Administration, Shai Zarivatch, described Israel as a powerhouse in cybersecurity innovation, attracting significant foreign investments second only to the United States. Mr. Zarivatch highlighted government initiatives like the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), which bolster the sector’s growth and resilience.
Looking ahead, Zarivatch noted that to maintain its technological edge, Israel is prioritising AI-driven cybersecurity solutions and quantum-resistant encryption.
As cybersecurity regulations expand, he added, there is an increasing demand for Israeli expertise in governance, risk management, and compliance.
The summit, themed, “Proven Strategies for Global Cyber Executives: Maximising Organisational Security and Efficiency”, underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing cybersecurity challenges, with both Israeli officials expressing a commitment to fostering partnerships that enhance global security efforts.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke