Unit 8200 (Hebrew: יחידה 8200, romanized: Yehida Shmone Matayim) is an Israeli Intelligence Corps unit of the Israel Defense Forces responsible for clandestine operations, collecting signal intelligence (SIGINT) and code decryption, counter‑intelligence, cyberwarfare, military intelligence, and surveillance. It is subordinate to Aman, the Military Intelligence Directorate, and is often compared to the United States National Security Agency (NSA). The unit was founded in 1952 and currently employs between 5,000 and 10,000 personnel, primarily 18‑21 year‑old conscripts selected for rapid learning ability. It has a reputation for producing a large number of high‑tech entrepreneurs.
The unit’s activities include operating the Urim SIGINT Base in the Negev desert, collecting open‑source intelligence through Unit Hatzav, and leveraging commercial cloud, AI, and facial‑recognition platforms. Notable incidents involving Unit 8200 include the 2013 Snowden leak revealing raw data sharing with the NSA, alleged involvement in the Duqu malware, and criticism for failing to monitor Hamas radio traffic before the October 7 2023 attacks. Alumni have founded or led many technology companies such as Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, Wix, Waze, NSO Group, CyberArk, and many others.
Leadership is kept secret; as of February 2021 the commander was Brigadier General Yossi Sariel, who resigned in September 2024. The unit’s structure includes a commander, a deputy commander (rank colonel), and a Data Science and AI Commander. Known past commanders include Yoel Ben‑Porat, Reuven Yeredor, Lior Div, Aharon Ze'evi‑Farkash, Nadav Zafrir, Yair Cohen, Hanan Gefen, and Asaf Kochan.
Unit 8200 has faced internal protest over surveillance of Palestinians and external scrutiny for its use of commercial technologies. It continues to be a key component of Israel’s cyber and intelligence capabilities.