By Larry K. Williams, TAG president and CEO
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the Central Regional CISO Policy Roundtable in Chicago, hosted by the National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC). The event brought together senior technology security executives from across the nation to discuss national cybersecurity legislative and policy issues affecting the CISO community.
One of the main ideas that I left this meeting with is the importance of resiliency for Georgia’s critical infrastructure, including our communication networks and cloud systems. While companies strive to defend against cyber intrusions, the reality is that many businesses are being successfully attacked. With Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October) right around the corner, there is no better time to consider both the challenges and opportunities for the cybersecurity industry right here in Georgia.
Georgia is a premier cybersecurity hub, thanks in large part to our robust education pipeline. A national leader in the development of cyber research and talent, Georgia is home to twelve NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. And, there are currently over 150 companies that specialize in cybersecurity services in Metro Atlanta alone.
Although Georgia boasts an impressive cybersecurity ecosystem, potential vulnerabilities pose substantial risks to the effectiveness and efficiency of our infrastructure. According to a recent report from Cyber Security Ventures, a company in the U.S. falls victim to ransomware every 11 seconds.
In a couple of weeks, I will be attending the NTSC’s first International CISO Policy Roundtable in London to hear from a worldwide team of cybersecurity experts as we work cohesively to tackle this issue.
Locally, TAG offers a wide range of learning opportunities to support companies big and small in our state. Don’t miss our cybersecurity 101 event for CMMC on October 11th, or our in-depth cybersecurity training on October 31st. Finally, the CyberStart America in Georgia Taskforce is working with teachers to help students explore their abilities, build their skills and compete for scholarships in cybersecurity along with cash prizes available!
