Lt. Col. (Res.) Ortal Sahar-Kvitel served in the IDF for 26 years, most of them in the Naval Intelligence Division of the Israeli Navy, where she held a wide range of roles in research, collection, and information security.

She began her military career as a Network Intelligence Officer in Unit 8200 and concluded it as Head of the Research Department in Naval Intelligence.

Among her key positions, Ortal served as Head of Information Security for the Israeli Navy and was the first and only woman to date to command Unit 663 — a naval SIGINT operations unit — including during the Second Lebanon War.

Ortal has extensive experience in intelligence collection and research using advanced analytical tools, crisis and emergency leadership, cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies, and the development of strategic thinking processes. She is a recognized expert in military intelligence, maritime terrorism, technological intelligence, intelligence-to-fire integration, naval operations, and proliferation.

During her tenure as Head of the Research Department, the Israeli Navy received several commendations and awards for operations in which intelligence played a central role, particularly in the “Campaign Between the Wars” and Operation Guardian of the Walls.

Since retiring from the IDF, Ortal has provided security consulting to various organizations, led strategic planning and organizational change processes, mentored women in the public sector, conducted workshops for IDF preparation, and promoted gender equality through multiple organizations and initiatives.