Gaby Portnoy, DG of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, is concluding his tenure today (Thursday) after three years in office, a term described as groundbreaking in the field of Israel’s cyber defense.
Appointed in February 2022, Portnoy brought with him extensive experience spanning nearly thirty years in key roles within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), serving in elite units and reaching the rank of Brigadier General, as well as holding a senior position in a biomedical company.
During Portnoy’s tenure, the INCD made significant advancements in its ability to detect and respond to cyberattacks on a national scale. Despite a dramatic increase in the scope and intensity of cyberattacks, particularly during the “Iron Swords” war, many major attacks were effectively thwarted, minimizing damage to the economy, daily life, and the civilian sector. The directorate played a central operational role from the early hours of October 7th.
Among Portnoy’s prominent achievements are the establishment of new advanced technological defense infrastructures, dubbed the “Cyber Dome,” significant improvements in the security levels of critical infrastructure and essential organizations, the expansion of operational responses for institutions and citizens, enhancements in early attack detection and prevention capabilities, and strengthening the cybersecurity community’s vulnerability reporting efforts.
Additionally, capabilities were developed to investigate and combat ransomware attacks, successful defense operations were conducted to secure election systems, a national cyber strategy was formulated, resilience against supply chain-related cyber threats was reinforced, and public awareness of cyber issues was heightened, including measures to counter foreign influence in online spaces.
Furthermore, under Portnoy’s leadership, the budget allocated to the INCD increased significantly, and staffing levels were nearly fully met, reflecting the growing importance of cybersecurity in national defense.
“Throughout my professional career, I have worked to protect Israel across various dimensions, arenas, and aspects,” Portnoy stated in his farewell remarks. “In an era where threats evolve rapidly, the resilience of a system is measured by the people leading it. I had the privilege of standing at the forefront of our digital defense, and I am confident that the path ahead will be more secure than ever, thanks to the outstanding individuals who will continue to drive our defense efforts forward. The race is never over.”
