Mamram
Mamram (Hebrew: ממר"ם), abbreviation for Center of Computing and Information Systems (Hebrew: מרכז מחשבים ומערכות מידע Merkaz Mahshevim UMa'arahot Meida), originally Center of Computing and Mechanized Registration (Hebrew: מרכז מחשבים ורישום ממוכן Merkaz Mahshevim VeRishum Memukhan) is the Israel Defense Forces' central computing system unit, providing data processing services for all arms and the general staff of the IDF. As of February 2013, Mamram is under the command of Colonel Hanan Iserovich.
History
Formed in 1959 under the name Maram (מר"ם), the unit bought its first computer, a US-made Philco machine. Mordechai Kikion was transferred from RAFAEL (then part of the IDF) to be the unit's first commander. Mamram facilities soon started hosting several other independent data processing units, including the Inventory Processing Center (מענ"א) and the Manpower Computing Center (ממכ"א).
In 1994, the Mamram programming school, considered one of the best sources of high-quality software professionals in the world, was separated into a newly formed unit called School for Computer Professions (Hebrew: בית הספר למקצועות המחשב, abbr. Basmach - בסמ"ח). However, the school's graduates, who were and still are highly sought after in the industry, are still referred to as Mamram graduates.[1] Following graduation, Basmach students go on to serve in various IDF units. Some of the graduates are often offered a position in Mamram itself.
The unit has also been delegated with the responsibility of assigning Internet domain names under the idf.il second level domain.
Former commanders
- 2013–Present: Colonel Hanan Iserovich
- 2010–2013: Colonel Noam Rozenfeld
- 2006–2010: Colonel (now Brig. Gen.) Ayala Hakim
- 2002–2006: Colonel Avi Kochva
- 1999–2002: Colonel Zvi Gliechman
- 1994–1999: Colonel Miri Kadmiel
- 1992–1994: Brig. Gen. Giora Ulman
- 1987–1992: Colonel Eli Gonen
- 1984–1987: Colonel Yitzchak Malach
Areas of responsibility
Closed intranet
Mamram has created the military's closed Intranet network. This network is a replication of the WWW, only in smaller dimensions for the use of all IDF's soldiers.
IDF's system network
MAMRAM is responsible for the management and development of the IDF's computer and network systems.
Computer abuse enforcement
Mamram is responsible for enforcing computer use integrity. The ability to monitor network vandalism and abuse is an outcome of Mamram's own technical development.
WWW integration
Mamram provides IDF's WWW websites. Those websites contain interactive information used by civilians and foreigners.
References
- ↑ The Military as a Public Space — The Role of the IDF in the Israeli Software Innovation System, Dan Breznitz, April 2002, MIT-IPC-02-004; an MIT working paper