“It is a common belief that Israel has a large pool of experienced former security, military and police personnel that they have operational experience gained from serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. Furthermore, Israeli companies have been able to field test their systems and solutions in real-time situations. This combined with Israel’s high-tech capabilities and strong R&D capabilities allows the country’s Homeland Security (HLS) industry to produce tailor-made solutions for each customer at the best-value prices…”, said Adv. Bina Bar - On, Director General of the Industrial Cooperation Authority (ICA) in Israel, on an exclusive interview given to Epicos.
1. Ms. Bina Bar-On, the Director General of the Israeli Industrial Cooperation Authority (ICA). On the occasion of jointly with the Israeli Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) publishing "Israel's Innovative Homeland Security Solutions and Opportunities for Cooperation" new Directory, could you please tell us the main objective of this Directory?
As a matter of fact, advancing Israel's abilities in the Homeland
Security domain is one of the major tasks of the ICA and the IEICI. Both our organizations are familiar with hundreds of Homeland Security related industries in Israel and at the same time with foreign countries' initiatives and programs in this domain. This directory is a unique source that is meant to provide comprehensive information to overseas entities about the capabilities of Israeli companies and serve as a reliable and updated source of contacts for potential meetings set up and tours in Israel for visiting delegations of public officials and private businessmen. Having these qualities, this Directory is used by all the Israeli Commercial Delegates around the world, as a promotional instrument for the Israeli HLS industries at any conference they attend, or any other events as appropriate.
2. How many companies participate in this new Directory?
There are more than 300 Homeland Security (HLS) companies that are registered in this Directory. The aforementioned companies are capable of providing a range of products, systems and services.
3. Could you please describe the place of the Israeli companies activated in the domain of Homeland Security, in the national and international market?
Israeli Homeland Security Industry has further expanded over the past decade, particularly domestically. Since 9/11, its international activities and unique programs have been furthered appreciated by the international market.
4. Is there a specific advantage that the Israeli companies activated in the domain of Homeland Security, in comparison with companies from other countries?
Despite its small size and overwhelming political problems, and perhaps even because of them, Israel developed a strong and viable Homeland Security industry. Homeland Security products, systems and services have been born by the necessity of Israel’s survival and matured by the reality of the continual terrorist threat to the country. Homeland Security products, systems and services have been tested and improved after real-time utilization. This in-the-field experience combined with the country’s strong academic research platform and high-tech capabilities have enabled dozens of companies to develop expertise in such areas as aviation, maritime and transport security; borders and infrastructure protection, safe-city and emergency services management; IT security; and much more.
5. What are the main characteristics of Israeli Homeland Security industry?
It is a common believe that Israel has a large pool of experienced former security, military and police personnel that they have operational experience gained from serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. Furthermore, Israeli companies have been able to field test their systems and solutions in real-time situations. This combined with Israel’s high-tech capabilities and strong R&D capabilities allows the country’s Homeland Security (HLS) industry to produce tailor-made solutions for each customer at the best-value prices. Furthermore Israeli HLS industry is globally renowned
for its innovative and operational tested technologies and for the fact that its integrated systems are reliable, economically viable, they comply with international standards for quality, safety and environmental protection and globally deployed. Israeli HLS companies are activated in a large area of expertise which includes:
• Aviation Maritime and Public Transport
• Borders and Critical Infrastructure
• Public and Commercial Facilities
• Counter Terror and Physical Protection
• Crisis and Emergency Management Systems
• Safe-City Projects
• Security for major International Events such as the Olympic Games, World Cup and European Soccer Championships
• Public Awareness and Preparedness for non-conventional threats
• Biometric Solutions
• IT Security and Anti Fraud
• Service Providers and more.
Israeli HLS companies provide both “off the shelf” and custom-made comprehensive solutions that take into account the specific needs of individual customers and countries. These holistic solutions encompass: • Risk assessment simulation and training systems
• Advanced perimeter protection solutions including observation, sensors and radars
• Biometrics – smart cards, face recognition for identification
• Communications for first responders and emergency situations
• Unmanned systems for air, land and sea
• Security forces protection solutions for personal and armed vehicles
• IED for police, airports and the military
• Jamming and interception for law enforcement and government authorities
• IT security and cyber terror
6. Are there any specific markets that the Israeli Homeland Security Industry would try to expand?
Israeli HLS industry has set the goal of expanding to the following areas in the next few years:
India – Undoubtedly, India is currently an important industrial partner and one of the larger growth markets in civilian security. The main reason is that there is increasing counter-terrorism awareness due to the tragic terror attack in Mumbai in 2008 and other internal security problems on the subcontinent. The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010 in which 52 countries will participate has huge potential for HLS industries.
Central and Eastern Europe – One of the most important sport events will take place in Poland and Ukraine in 2012. This is the European soccer championships (known as Euro 2012). Accordingly, Poland and Ukraine requires upgraded security infrastructures at airports, hotels, transport security, mass public events and more.
Far East and Asia - This region is becoming increasingly vulnerable to terror and is continually having to cope with natural disasters. Additionally, it has the largest potential for economic growth. Therefore, IEICI is focusing on Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea in order to expand its entrepreneurship activities.
Latin America - Brazil, one of the world’s fastest growing economies, has to combat increasing crime and terror. Additionally it is a gateway to the rest of the continent.
South Africa – The fact that South Africa will host an important sport event (the 2010 World Cup) necessitates the country to find solutions for global terror and chronic crime.
United States- Ongoing activities in this central market with a major focus on federal and state authorities, end-users and strategic business partners.
7. After the 9/11 attack securing airline transportations is a core element of Homeland Security. What is the status of Israeli companies in the aforementioned domain?
It is true that after 9/11 the airline transportation security has become a rather important sector of Homeland Security. Nevertheless, a 9/11-style attack against Israel has never been a viable scenario even before the collapse of the twin towers. The main reason is that the Air Traffic to and from Israel has always been a natural target for terrorists and consequently the country’s security experts have developed effective concepts and strategies. The kind of security measures taken by Israel’s airline industry and airport authorities greatly minimizes and deters the possibility of such an attack, while new systems developed since 9/11 makes such an assault even more unlikely.
Israeli companies export all the techniques that are used in Israel such as personnel training, x-ray screening and passenger profiling. Some of these companies are the government owned Israel Military Industries (IMI), ICTS Global Security, a veteran aviation security consulting firm, Sital International Security and Intelligence which offers air transport security training, Shafran which provides aviation security packages and Athena a member of the Mer Group.
8. The Directory of Innovative Homeland Security Solutions and Opportunities for Cooperation has been created with the cooperation of The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute. Could you please describe the main aspects of the aforementioned institute and the kind of cooperation between both your organizations?
The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) is jointly established in 1958 by the Israeli government and the private sector and its main purpose is to act as a gateway to business in Israel. Like the ICA, its task is to promote industrial exports as well as develop trade relations, cooperation and strategic alliances with overseas companies. Aiming at more of the same goals, the ICA's connections with hundreds of oversees companies with whom we have signed Industrial Cooperation Agreements due to their sales to the Israeli Government, and the professional expertise and acquaintance of the ICA's staff members with the Israeli industry, are quite often advantages to the IEICI's various activities, and vice versa.
Both, the ICA and IEICI staff is eager to assist both foreign companies seeking Israeli products and services, and Israeli exporters looking to find overseas customers and penetrate new foreign markets.