Your Gateway to the Cyber Era

A one-year M.A. in the policy, strategy, and governance of the cyber world, taught in English at Tel Aviv University.

Program Overview

Cyber Politics and Government is a one-year M.A. that examines how governments, organizations, and societies make decisions about cyber and digital technology. It approaches cyber from strategic, political, and societal angles rather than technical ones: the coursework centers on policy, ethics, security strategy, and geopolitical analysis, not programming or system defense. A bachelor's degree in any field is accepted, and no technical background is required.

The program is based at Tel Aviv University, which takes part in national programs including the Israel Cyber Initiative and the Smart Systems Initiative. Studying in Israel places you close to the institutions and people that shape national cyber policy.

The program is headed by Professor Eviatar Matania, founder and former Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), where he was responsible for national cyber policy and its implementation. He teaches on the program alongside faculty including Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, Dr. Amir Lupovici, and Dr. Pablo Balan. Prof. Matania describes the program's purpose:

"The Cyber Politics and Government Program builds a bridge between the technology world and the field of corporate policy and strategy, critical issues for any organization's ability to adapt to the future world, which is rapidly evolving based on cyber technologies." — Prof. Eviatar Matania 

Across the year you examine how cyber challenges affect government, industry, and society, and how leaders weigh questions of risk management, compliance, budget, reputation, and strategy. Classes meet twice a week, so students can study alongside a job.

Hear from the Head of the Program, Prof. Eviatar Matania:

Program Highlights

• Learn from faculty who have shaped Israeli cyber policy, in a program built around real governmental and organizational challenges;

• Acquire useful tools to analyze the cyber world;

• Get to develop the strategic capacity to develop policy and to lead societies in a dynamic cyber era;

• Enjoy cultural evening activities and overnight excursions around the country, alongside coursework.

• An optional one-year thesis track is available.

• Classes meet twice a week

• Open to any first-degree background, with no technical prerequisites

Careers for Cyber Politics Graduates

This is a policy and strategy degree, and it points toward policy and strategy roles rather than technical ones. 

With a Cyber Politics & Government MA you will be well-prepared for:

• Cyber and technology policy analysis in government, regulators, and international organizations;
• Cyber strategy, risk, and governance roles inside companies and public institutions;
• Strategic and management consulting on cyber and digital questions;
• Research and analysis at think tanks and NGOs working on technology, security, and governance.

Graduates leave able to read the cyber policy landscape and to weigh decisions on risk, regulation, compliance, and strategy across government, industry, and society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cyber Politics & Government a technical cybersecurity degree?

No. This is a policy and governance program, not an engineering one. You study how governments and organizations set cyber strategy, regulation, and risk decisions, not how to build or defend systems in code. Coursework covers the international cyber system, elections and government in the cyber era, and Israel's cyber ecosystem, taught by faculty including Prof. Eviatar Matania, founder and former Director General of Israel's National Cyber Directorate. A bachelor's degree in any field is accepted; no computer science background is required.

Can I take this program online?

No. The MA is taught on campus in Tel Aviv over one year (three semesters), in English. It is a full-time, in-person program with no online or part-time track.

Collaborative Degree Opportunity

Passionate about Social Sciences?

Find out more about Tel Aviv University's unique cooperative MA degree program with Johns Hopkins SAIS.