Top British companies seek cyber solutions from Israel in battle against hackers

LONDON, 07 September 2017 /PRNewswire Policy/ --

Top UK banks, insurers and telecom companies seek cyber security solutions from Israel, to protect companies and institutions from cyber attacks.

Top UK banks, insurers and telecom companies will seek cyber security solutions from Israel next week, as part of an effort by the British Government to protect companies and institutions from cyber attacks. Starting Monday, Aviva Insurance, BT, Goldman Sachs, RBS, Visa and others will host leading Israeli cyber security startups for a series of targeted events in London. The 12 startups are a part of TeXchange, a programme by the British Embassy in Israel that connects UK companies to promising digital solutions.

The past year has seen numerous cyber attacks on UK companies and public institutions such as Parliament and the NHS. A recent government report concluded that Britain's top firms and charities urgently need to do more to protect themselves from online threats. The UK Israel Tech Hub, a team within the British embassy, strives to tackle those threats through connecting the British companies to advanced solutions from Israel.

Ayelet Mavor, Acting Director of the UK Israel Tech Hub, said:

"Israel is a major world player in cyber security solutions, both commercially and in research. There are nearly 400 Israeli cyber companies, totaling around 8% of global cyber exports.

"We are confident UK companies can gain a competitive edge on their security needs by partnering with Israel's cyber industry."

TeXchange, organised annually by the UK Israel Tech Hub, has already resulted in more than 20 signed UK-Israel partnership deals. In past years, TeXchange focused on retail-tech, fintech, smart mobility and other areas.Hundreds of UK companies and over 60 Israeli startups took part in TeXchange activities so far, with this year's programme being the largest in terms of UK participation.

The Israeli companies participating include MindoLife, a tiny startup that recently scored a significant $20 million deal with India's SAR Group to supply it with Internet of Things technology (full list of participants below).

Mike Hodgson, Head of Innovation Engagement at BT, which will host TeXchange's Cyber Innovation Showcase on 13 September, said:

"BT is a world leader in cyber security, with a global team of dedicated security professionals working around the clock to protect BT, its corporate and consumer customers and the UK's critical national infrastructure against emerging cyber threats.

"We are thrilled to be hosting an event which brings together a wide-ranging corporate audience and leading tech entrepreneurs to discuss the latest emerging technology innovations which will keep the UK ahead of the rapidly growing cyber-crime industry."

SOURCE UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office