By Arie Egozi, Autonomy Global – Ambassador for Israel
Israel, a world leader in cybersecurity, and U.S.-based defense giant Boeing, has moved to leverage this expertise to secure its next generation of aerial and space platforms. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and Boeing announced on January 27 the establishment of a multi-year research collaboration focused on advancing cybersecurity for autonomous, digital and connected aviation and aerospace systems.
The five-year agreement, valued at over USD 10 million, creates a dedicated Boeing–BGU Cybersecurity Research Center of Excellence to explore and secure next-generation aviation and space systems operating in increasingly complex cyber-physical environments. The partnership will focus on developing innovative security architectures, secure communication systems, resilient autonomous platforms and trusted technologies that can protect future aviation platforms from sophisticated cyber threats.
“Aviation and space systems are becoming more autonomous, digital and connected,” said Dr. Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing Global. “Partnering with Ben-Gurion University, one of the world’s foremost centers in cybersecurity and advanced engineering, helps us stay at the leading edge of secure aerospace innovation.”
BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz called the new research center an important milestone for the university and the Negev region. He said the partnership demonstrates how a deep connection between breakthrough academic research and a leading international corporation can drive innovation, strengthen the Negev as a major technological hub and train the next generation of cybersecurity experts for the benefit of both Israeli and global society.
Boeing and BGU, through the university’s tech transfer company BGN, signed a multi-year framework agreement to launch the aviation cybersecurity collaboration. The research will be carried out within the facilities of CBG, Ben-Gurion University’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, where BGU researchers, graduate students, and Boeing experts will work side by side on emerging aerospace cyber challenges.
“This agreement reflects the strength of BGU’s research ecosystem and its global leadership in cybersecurity, AI and related technologies,” said Prof. Dan Blumberg, BGU’s VP of Regional and Industrial Development. “Together with Boeing, we will explore the frontier of aviation cybersecurity and develop new capabilities that strengthen the entire aerospace industry.”
Prof. Yuval Elovici, Head of BGU’s Cyber Security Research Center, described Boeing as a natural partner for the university. He noted that years of working with global leaders on critical cybersecurity challenges across multiple sectors provide a strong foundation for addressing Boeing’s aviation cybersecurity needs and for applying the latest AI developments to new security capabilities for future aviation technologies.
Dr. Nelson and Ido Nehushtan, President of Boeing Israel, attended a ceremony to inaugurate the new Boeing–BGU Cybersecurity Research Center of Excellence. Nehushtan said the collaboration will enable Israel’s most advanced technologies and capabilities to be integrated into future generations of aviation and space systems worldwide.
He emphasized that Boeing remains the main supplier of passenger aircraft to Israeli airlines, led by EL AL, and a leading supplier of fighter jets, missiles, helicopter gunships, satellites and other advanced military systems to the Israel Defense Forces. Israeli industries are also key suppliers to Boeing, with many Israeli systems integrated into Boeing products worldwide and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue.