Israeli intelligence unit’s soldiers are sworn to secrecy but tell all on LinkedIn

Soldiers in the 8200 unit are so highly prized that tech companies want to poach them even before they're released, leading them to share their knowledge on LinkedIn

OF ISRAEL’S INTELLIGENCE units, 8200 may be the most well-known. It receives frequent attention from the media – partially due to the pipeline funneling unit graduates to high-tech companies – but its operations are secret. Or, at least, they’re supposed to be. Even though its active-duty soldiers have their faces blurred on-camera, many are divulging specifics on one particular social media site.

“Hi LinkedIn, after two years of significant service at Unit 8200… I’m looking for my next challenge.” This is how a soldier nearing discharge from the exclusive unit opened her post on the professional social network. The soldier noted her position in the unit and the various software she worked with – and quickly received some 170 replies, mostly from HR personnel at high-tech firms.

The signal intelligence unit’s soldiers are prohibited from identifying themselves as such on social media, but it appears that this rule is flouted on LinkedIn.

Many of them make LinkedIn profiles before they are even discharged, specifying the name of the unit and their own position, preparing themselves for the day after – when they turn overnight from soldiers to highly sought-after employees at startups and tech juggernauts.

Overall, there are several hundred profiles on LinkedIn by users identifying themselves as 8200 personnel.

FULL STORY An Elite Israeli intelligence unit's soldiers are sworn to secrecy – but tell all on LinkedIn (Haaretz)

Photo: IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Tamir Hayman, former intelligence chief, visit an intelligence base (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)