BGU Leading Innovation at CyberTech Global 2026
BGU Leading Innovation at CyberTech Global 2026
February 5, 2026
Homeland & Cyber Security, Leadership, Awards & Events
Noa Argamani at Cybertech Global Tel Aviv (Photo: Gilad Kavalerchik)
CyberTech Global 2026, held in Tel Aviv, convened global cyber leaders, innovators, and policymakers at a pivotal moment for Israel, with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) serving as a key academic collaborator. BGU voices were prominently represented throughout the conference, including Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, President of BGU, Prof. Dan Blumberg, Vice President of BGU, Prof. Yuval Elovici BGU’s Head of Innovation Cyber Security Research Center, and Noa Argamani, a BGU Information Systems Engineering student specializing in AI, data science, and machine learning—whose presence underscored the essential role of higher education and innovation in national recovery.
BGU Building the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders
At the joint CyberTech Global TLV conference and Sparks Innovation Festival, Prof. Blumberg emphasized that staying ahead of cyber threats requires more than technology—it demands people, cooperation, and trust. His core takeaways included:
-Innovation continues to outpace threats—but only through deliberate effort and sustained investment.
-Talent development is the single greatest differentiator in cyber defense.
-Collaboration must replace secrecy, noting that “cyber adversaries collaborate extremely well; it’s time the rest of us caught up.”
-Cybersecurity has become fundamental to societal trust, particularly as deepfakes and synthetic media blur the line between truth and fabrication.
He concluded by recognizing BGU as a leader in applied cybersecurity research, education, and global partnerships, supporting the next generation of cyber defenders.
Healing Through Education and Innovation
One of the conference’s most powerful moments came during a conversation between Prof. Chamovitz and Noa Argamani, who returned to her studies after 246 days in captivity. Reflecting on the return of the final hostage, Argamani said, “It’s a time for us to move on and to start with our healing,” reaffirming her determination to complete her degree and contribute to Israel’s tech future.
“The only thing that I want to do is to start my own business in Israel, advancing startups here to make sure that people look at Israel as not just a country at war, but as an independent country with a good economy. This is how we will win,” she said.
Bridging Academia and Industry
In collaboration with Ashdod Port and the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), BGU announced a new MBA in Risk Management focused on maritime cybersecurity, AI, and advanced technologies. Initially launched for port employees, the program reflects a shared commitment to closing the gap between academic training and real-world cyber challenges.
Collectively, these discussions reaffirmed BGU’s leadership at the intersection of cybersecurity research, education, and national resilience—advancing innovation while shaping the next generation of global cyber leaders.
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