Establishing an IDF Cyber Command
by Meir Elran and Gabi Siboni, INSS
On June 15, 2015, the IDF Spokesperson announced that in light of the substantial challenges facing the IDF in the cyber
realm, the Chief of Staff decided to establish a cyber command to lead the operational activities in this emerging
field. The cyber command will be established within two years, in the first stage both within the Military Intelligence
Directorate and the C4I Telecommunications Directorate of the IDF.
• All future decisions with regard to the reorganization of cyber activity and construction of the new command must
contribute directly to the overall capacities of the IDF cyber potential. This will not be an easy undertaking. A
particularly important challenge will be the attainment of both long range planning and precise execution capabilities
on the different levels, together with an optimal degree of operational flexibility in the defensive and offensive
theater. An improved, innovative cyber system will serve to expand Israel’s spectrum of security capabilities, as long
as it is integrated with an updated general security doctrine that is responsive to Israel’s rapidly changing needs.
ends