DHS outlines Israeli security agreements

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has established security agreements with the Government of Israel and private sector partners to collaborate on varied joint security issues.

“DHS is proud to continue to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel through new security arrangements,” said DHS Under Secretary for Policy Robert Silvers, who is also slated to deliver keynote remarks on DHS cybersecurity priorities during the CyberTech Global Conference. “The arrangements signed between our Department and the Government of Israel underscore that Israel is a critical partner in advancing a broad range of international technology and security priorities.”

Authorities noted Silvers and Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) Director General Gaby Portnoy recently issued a Joint Statement of Intent reflecting a shared commitment to collaboratively combat ransomware, bolster cooperative research and development, strengthen critical infrastructure cybersecurity and increase cyber threat resilience.

The Joint Statement of Intent focuses on expanding cooperative research and development of the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Homeland Security (HLS) Program to include new collaboration models with INCD focused on cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

There will also be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) deepening collaboration in aviation and surface transportation cybersecurity regarding information sharing, intelligence and threat sharing, standards and methodologies; and commitment to pursue expert exchanges identifying risks to and from emerging technologies.