Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved the appointment of retired military intelligence general Gaby Portnoy to head the country's National Cyber Directorate, the Prime Minister's Office said.
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Portnoy will replace Yigal Unna, who stepped down last month, as chief of cyber security.
The Cyber Directorate is the main body charged with defending Israel's cyberspace and advancing the build-up of its cyber strength. It works to strengthen the protection of organizations and citizens in dealing with cyberattacks and in preparing for emergencies.
Portnoy, 52, is chief operating officer of high-tech firm EnVizon Medical. Prior to that, he spent 31 years in the armed forces, serving in senior positions including head of operations for the Intelligence Corps, retiring with the rank of brigadier-general.
Israel's cyber sector is one of the country's fastest-growing, raising $8.8 billion in 2021 to triple the amount of 2020. Another 40 Israeli cyber firms were bought by foreign companies for a total of $3.5 billion, while Israeli cyber exports reached $11 billion in 2021.
The directorate said 40% of the private global investment in cybersecurity funding rounds are in Israel.
Also on Sunday, the cabinet approved the nomination of Eyal Caspi as the new Israel Fire and Rescue Services commissioner.
Caspi is the first fire chief to raise through the ranks of the national rescue service, having served in every main command, He has been in the IFRS for 35 years, and is expected to lead far-reaching reforms and upgrades in the department.
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