Defense / Homeland Security Cluster
Defense / Homeland Security Cluster
 As a top national priority, Homeland Security in Israel is more than just an exportable commodity. Out of the necessity to actively combat geopolitical threats, Israelis have designed, developing and manufacturing military equipment since the 1920s. Israel’s self-reliance has created a diversified and cutting edge security industry, adding innovation to existing technologies as well as developing new ones. Israeli security industries have been internationally active in many areas including: Avionics/Aviation Security, Maritime Security, Land Force, Public Security (Crisis & Emergency Management, Counter Terrorism, etc.), and Critical Infrastructure Protection (Thermal Imaging, Smart Cards, IT Security and Anti Fraud, etc.).Israel today has earned its worldwide reputation for providing leading security solutions and continues to successfully partner with key world players to protect airports, seaports, government offices, financial institutions, recreational centers, international events and more.
There are about 600 Israeli companies active in the security sector, 350 of which export their products worldwide. Israeli companies work closely with prime security integrators in the United States such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and others and critical infrastructure protection from Israel is being used at Buckingham Palace, the Vatican, and the Eiffel Tower, to cite a few examples. The Homeland Security Pact, signed in 2007 by the US and Israel, set a series of goals for security collaboration between the two nations, and includes the sharing of information about terror and criminal activities, airport and flight security procedures, emergency planning and research and development in the field of explosives detection. Major players in the military and defense sector today include Elbit, Tadiran, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Rafael, Elisra, ELTA, Palsan and Israel Military Industries (IMI) which offer “spin off” technologies and products to this market. Israeli companies in the Defense Industry: http://www.matimop.org.il/ |
 The Advanced Security Technology Research Alliance (ASTRA) brings together business leaders, academia, industry leaders and technology professionals, and seeks to promote South Carolina’s existing cyber security industry, increase South Carolina’s leadership and innovation within the sector, and increase the state’s competitiveness in the one of the state’s fast-growing industry sectors.
Nearly all the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security agencies are represented in Charleston, coupled with one of the nation’s largest ocean ports and a growing medical research center. Charleston has become a hub of research and development, practical testing and pilot initiatives for a wide range of security solutions. ASTRA will establish the Charleston region as a national leader and preeminent solutions source of information assurance, cyber security, advanced robotics, and unmanned and autonomous vehicle systems for the Department of Defense (DoD), other Federal entities and private industry. ASTRA will be a catalyst in South Carolina for transforming the culture of advanced security and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) educational opportunities in both the University system and K-12 institutions while enhancing the research capabilities of these focus areas. ASTRA will serve as the critical conduit to unite cyber security and information assurance industry leaders to the DoD, South Carolina Universities, and K-12 institutions. |