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 Antonio has worked diligently to further industry and public sector collaboration, relationships, and growth opportunities, and is looking to expand its support and impact as it moves into its third year of operations in FY2018.
ISSUE:
Working alongside partners such as the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF), CyberTexas, the CyberDefDojo, Geekdom, Tech Bloc, Port San Antonio and others, CyberSecurity San Antonio is committed to elevating San Antonio’s cyber cluster to a globally competitive position. In this role, CyberSecurity San Antonio continues to refine its industry-driven focus and alignment to the SAEDF’s Forefront SA plan, in order to effectively target, engage, and support new and expanding cybersecurity companies in the region.
Our local cyber industry members have recommended that the City pursue a robust Open Data policy and practice as a means to spur innovation and increase technology connectivity within San Antonio. To support these community efforts, CyberSecurity San Antonio Director Will Garrett will participate as one of three citizen members of the City’s newly created Innovation and Technology Committee and work closely with members of City Council and City staff to build out a robust data sharing and open data program.
CyberSecurity San Antonio also participated in the Mayor-led trade mission to Israel in 2017 and has since hosted one Israeli cyber firm in San Antonio that is already establishing partnerships with local companies. CyberSecurity San Antonio is also coordinating a trip for a leading Israeli cyber company incubator to explore expansion opportunities in San Antonio.
Finally, as the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF) and the Forefront SA framework adjust and adapt to the changing economic development landscape, CyberSecurity San Antonio will better integrate with, guide, and support the actions of the SAEDF.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
This briefing is for information purposes only and no action is necessary.