"We aim to reach logistical autonomy, so that we will not be dependent on national infrastructures," IDF computerization division head Brigadier Nissim Alafia, who is responsible for preparing the IDF to cope with the year 200 bug, told "Globes".
The IDF began preparing for the year 2000 in 1996, after the computerization division was established. According to the army’s work plan, it will be ready for the year 2000 by the end of December 1998, as January 1999 is considered the first date when the year 2000 bug will start to have an effect.
The 2000 bug affects all systems with a digital component, including computers and other control systems. The year 1999 is vulnerable to breakdowns, because in many programs, the combination of digits 999 is defined as infinity.
Alafia added that "the problem is not whether or not the army will be ready for the year 2000, but rather what will happen if there’s no electricity or water. We are organising ourselves for full independence from the national infrastructures: we have systems to ensure electricity supply in the event of breakdowns, there will be generators, we’ll organise fuel tanks next to the generators. In telephony, we are already set up for autonomy, without dependence on Bezeq."
Boaz Levin, formerly commander of the IDF’s main computer unit, and now vice president of Yael Software and Systems, told "Globes" that an examination of the IDF’s state of readiness that began in February this year discovered that it would not be ready for the year 2000.
Alafia said in response that the IDF was carrying out constant readiness checks, and it would be ready by the end of the year, in accordance with the plan, "apart from loose ends that will be left as a result of the process of checking the converted systems." He admitted that the 2000 bug could damage Israel’s technological advantage, "but only if we aren’t ready, and we will be ready."
Published by Israel's Business Arena on July 16, 1998