DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
Briefing by CyberSecurity San Antonio on the organization's progress and plans for FY2018.
SUMMARY:
This is a briefing by Will Garrett, Director for CyberSecurity San Antonio, who will cover CyberSecurity San Antonio's efforts and accomplishments in 2017, and the organization's initiatives and opportunities in 2018.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Established in 2015, CyberSecurity San Antonio is a collaborative, public-private program created to accelerate the growth of San Antonio's cybersecurity industry. The program was implemented following a two-year study of San Antonio's cybersecurity industry, and the development of a San Antonio-specific cybersecurity growth strategy. The program is led by Will Garrett through the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce's Cybersecurity Industry Council, with funding support from the Chamber, the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and private sector contributors.
Since its inception, the program has grown the Cybersecurity Industry Council to over 200 members, who represent interests and entities from private industry, the government, military, and intelligence communities, academic institutions, training providers, startups, and entrepreneurial organizations. CyberSecurity San Antonio's overall objectives also align with the community's economic development strategy, Forefront SA, with specific focus areas on business recruitment, retention and expansion, entrepreneurial development, talent development, and local collaboration.
Additionally, in August 2016, CyberSecurity San Antonio established San Antonio's first cybersecurity accelerator, The Build Sec Foundry, to support the development of cybersecurity startups as they launch, grow, and scale in San Antonio. The Build Sec Foundry currently supports three startup members and facilitated $3.4 million in capital investment for its member companies.
CyberSecurity San Anto...
Click here for full text