As a staunch supporter of Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and a proud United States Army veteran trained as a cryptographer, I have often wondered about the similarities and differences between how America and Israel prepare the men and women entrusted with their most sensitive intelligence missions.

First let me explain what a cryptographer is. He or she is a warrior of the invisible battlefield, someone entrusted with protecting secrets that can determine the survival of nations, the success of military operations, and the outcome of wars. While on active duty, their security clearance is TOP SECRET.

Unlike infantry soldiers who fight with rifles and armor, cryptographers fight with mathematics, logic, encryption systems, and intelligence tradecraft. Their battlefield is the hidden world of coded communications, cyber networks, intercepted signals, and classified information. Their mission is twofold: protect their own nation’s secrets while penetrating the secrets of adversaries.

The profession........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)