The 24-hour “Hackathon” Exercise of the C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate
The C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate leads a special course for incoming officers following their completion of officers course in the Officers’ Training School. This completion course is specifically tailored for the new officers in the directorate after they graduate from Officers Training School, and includes many exercises to prepare them for their positions.
27.03.18
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The completion course
The new officers in the directorate’s completion course come from backgrounds of computer software, electrical engineering, and cyber defense. In the course, they study the professional side of their future jobs and learn about the different units of the technological division. They also become familiarized with a variety of the directorate's programs and projects.
“The completion course is very challenging and complex. In the final analysis, the challenges faced by the cadets aren’t in theory, but through real experiences and by leading missions assigned in advance. The experience needed for their future is attained through various exercises, one of which is the ‘Hackathon,’ “ explained Maj. Arik, commander in the technological completion course from the C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate.
What is the “Hackathon” and why is it important?
The “Hackathon” is the exercise that concludes the first trimester of the 9-week completion course. The exercise, which lasts for 24 hours, is essentially a short-term “sprint” of product development and innovation. It’s a unique simulation system to help qualify and train the new officers as officers in the C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate.
The main point of the “Hackathon” is to have the new officers identify a problem and from there develop new and creative ideas that provide a solution using technology. Doing this helps reveal ideas that could eventually be developed.
From cadet to officer
The officers that finish the course end up with a high level of leadership and professional skills. After the course, they’re stationed in various positions within the directorate, such as project-leading, which means they’re in charge of ongoing projects and programming, which entails programming and developing applications, analytics, and more.
