Follow-up....
Hiring the Israeli Fox to Guard the Western Hen House:
Israel's Security and Safety Industry
Background
Homeland security has been a top national priority for Israel since well before the state’s official establishment in 1948. In the 1920s, Israelis began designing, developing, and manufacturing military equipment. Born of a necessity to combat geopolitical threats actively, Israeli-made security systems and solutions have been tested time and again. From their unique perspective, the country’s safety and security manufacturers have gained unparalleled expertise and a worldwide reputation for developing leading-edge security solutions.
The events of September 11 changed the global perspective on terrorism. Countries around the world are now searching for tools to combat the threat of terrorism, and many of these technologies can be supplied by Israel’s security and safety industry. Dozens of Israeli companies offer sophisticated security solutions ranging from automated speech recognition systems and remote sensors, to video image location and identification, early warning devices and advanced tactical imaging systems.
Israeli companies are involved in every sphere of the diversified security industry, adding innovation to existing technologies and developing new ones on the cutting edge. They understand that maximum security lies in the integration of multiple technologies, rather than through the development of any single one. To this end, Israeli security and safety companies are successfully partnering with key world players to protect airports, seaports, government offices, financial institutions, recreational centers, and more.
Security and Safety by the Numbers
Security and safety companies: 600
Start-ups involved in security and safety: 50
Exporting companies (2004): Over 300
Non-defense/military-related exports (2004): $850 million
(expected to rise 20% a year for the near future)
Why Israel?
Over the years Israel has had to rely on its own resources for national defense. For a small country – it currently has a population of just 6.5 million – Israel has conceived, developed, and manufactured military projects greatly disproportionate to its size, including satellites, the Kfir and Lavi fighter aircraft, Merkava tank, Uzi submachine gun, Galil and Tavor assault rifles, missiles, and many more [UAVs,...].
What grew out of a direct military need with a high-tech edge has developed into a core element of the Israeli economy and placed Israel at the forefront of the global security and safety industry. Israeli companies are constantly being recognized for their creativity and innovation. With the military providing a fertile breeding ground for future generations of engineers and entrepreneurs, many non-defense-related, high-quality technologies and solutions have been developed that meet the most stringent requirements.
The security and safety industry comprises diverse segments and their respective applications. The players involved include large military and defense companies such as Elbit, Tadiran, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), RAFAEL, Elisra, ELTA, and Israel Military Industries (IMI), which provide “spin off” technologies and products to this market. Other key players entered the market from the telecommunications arena, including Comverse, Nice, Verint, C.Mer, and others. In addition to these source-related industries, there are companies based purely on security developments and products, such as individuals providing security consulting services, and start-ups developing cutting-edge technologies in security surveillance.
Key Segments
§ Perimeter Security
Consulting
Barriers
Sensors
VMD
Access Control
C4I
Tracking
Surveillance
Biometrics
Integration
Training
IT Security
Authentication
Detectors
§ Counter-Terrorism
Consulting
Training
Weapons
SWAT products
Equipment
Physical protection
Communications
§ CBRN/NBC
Consulting
Products
Detectors
Crisis management
§ C4I
Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence
International Cooperation
Israeli companies are active in every region, providing solutions and technologies for government entities, organizations and local private integrators, in national projects as well as private sector venues.
Athens Olympic Games – More than a dozen Israeli companies were involved in providing security related services and products to this major international event. The value of projects is estimated to have totaled nearly $200 million.
Israeli companies are currently involved in border control projects in the new member nations of the European Union.
Israeli technology and products are being implemented in numerous projects, such as: jails, stadiums, amusement parks, nuclear sites, critical infrastructure facilities, private housing, airports, seaports, trains, federal sites and more.
Recently, Israeli-made physical protective equipment for vehicles, buildings and body have been supplied to international forces and organizations active in Iraq and in other conflict locations.
Special Projects
HLS MasterKey
With the recent formation of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States, there has been an increased demand for security systems by government agencies and private institutions. Israel’s knowledge and expertise in this field is highly valued by top-tier decision-makers worldwide.
In 2004, the IEICI launched the HLS MasterKey Project to assist and promote Israeli companies in obtaining American cooperation towards participating in HLS projects in the US and globally.
The general idea was to locate a professional US marketing consultant/brokerage company with experience in the HLS market that would assist and promote Israeli companies towards business cooperation and opportunities.
Phase I was to screen and filter Israeli companies; fully 200 began the process. Phase II included being fully represented and promoted in the US market. In October 2004 the IEICI organized a conference in Washington DC, attended by 70 Israeli companies who met with over 140 US entities.
This successful project could and should be replicated in other locales in the United States, by additional American companies.
As most HLS projects are at the state level, this marketing idea should be promoted to additional states and niches.
Subject Matter Clusters
The IEICI manages a government fund aimed at assisting professional consortiums of companies in their international marketing efforts. Such consortiums include: Prisons, CBRN, Counter-Terrorism, Leasing for International Mass Events, and others.
Success Stories and Opportunities
Israeli companies work closely with prime contractors in the United States such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and others. Israel plans on leveraging its relations with these companies to advance in the field of homeland security and civilian-related products.
Maritime Security - In addition to projects and activities such as Aviation Security, Perimeter Security, Special Forces and Equipment, there are global opportunities for Israeli companies to be involved in security and safety of maritime and seaports. Given the United States’ decision to implement strict security regulations concerning the entry of containers into its ports, Israeli companies are expected to be very attractive to countries and ports that trade with the US, since Israeli ports already comply with these stringent requirements.
About the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute
The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, supported by over 2,600 member firms, private sector bodies and the Government of Israel, promotes business relationships between Israeli exporters and overseas businesses and organizations. By providing a wide range of export-oriented services to Israeli companies and complementary services to the international business community, the Institute helps build successful joint ventures, strategic alliances, and trade partnerships.
Contact Information
Ms. Yael Liberman
Executive, Security and Safety Department
Mr. Eran Sela
Director, Defense Industries & Products Division
Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute
29 Hamered Street
Tel Aviv 68125, Israel
Tel: +972-3-514-2839
Fax: +972-3-514-2881
E-mail: yael@export.gov.il; eran@export.gov.il
Website: www.export.gov.il
security.export.gov.il |
