DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT: Cybersecurity Industry Study & Implementation
SUMMARY:
The recently completed Cybersecurity Industry Study illustrates the growing importance of cybersecurity in today's information age, both globally and right here in San Antonio. With a strong military presence and some 80 existing companies dedicated to cybersecurity, the study identifies a number of the City's strengths specific to the growth of its cybersecurity industry, and emphasizes the need for greater specialization of the economic development approach in order to continue cultivating the cybersecurity industry in San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Initiated in 2013 and led by industry leaders and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce's Cybersecurity Committee, the City of San Antonio provided $50,000 to support the execution of a community Cybersecurity Industry Study. The study was prepared by Prager Schneider with lead assistance from Deloitte, and provided strategies to better prepare San Antonio for future success in the cybersecurity industry by identifying and capitalizing on the City's competitive advantages, leveraging its community assets, and improving the community's overall cybersecurity business climate. The study also identified competing cities and geographies, including Atlanta, GA, Fairfax County, VA, Huntsville, AL, Montgomery County, MD, and San Diego, CA, and stressed key site selection factors for recruiting and retaining cybersecurity companies. To increase the cybersecurity presence in the city, the study highlighted the need to effectively communicate the virtues and strengths of San Antonio's cybersecurity industry, and to mobilize decision-makers, educators, elected leaders, defense and federal officials, and economic development practitioners under a common framework through a formal network or coalition.
ISSUE:
Implementation and integration...
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