Crack the code and join the Mossad

Israel's legendary intelligence agency, the Mossad — "The Institute" — has set about trying to recruit to its cyber unit in a novel way, free daily Israel Hayom reports.

On Wednesday, the eve of Independence Day, the agency published an advert in a number of Israeli newspapers that contained a secret code for potential applicants to crack. Part of the advert was written clearly — it shows the Mossad logo of a menorah along with its motto, which translates in English to "Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14).

Next to the logo are rows of numbers, symbols and letters, along with the message in English: "Are you ready for a challenge?"

The hidden part of the advert, aimed at hackers and programmers, tells the beginning of a story about an agent who has been taken hostage, whom the applicant must rescue. Anyone who successfully cracks the code will be taken to a secret login page, where the "recruitment process" continues.

Cyber warfare is widely considered to be the biggest new front in counter-terrorism operations. Other such units have already popped up throughout Israel's security establishment, including in the army, the Shin Bet and the police.

The Mossad is not the only intelligence agency to employ novel means in order to reap the best talent. In 2009, UK surveillance agency GCHQ advertised open positions via Xbox Live, in a bid to attract 18- to 34-year-old tech-savvy recruits.

And in 2015, MI6 — the UK equivalent of the Mossad — posted an advert on online giant mumsnet in order to try and draw in more women to its ranks.