August 31, 2016

Bay Area Cyber Trip

Bay Area Cybersecurity Company

dirkbloggoogleI was a member of the Colorado delegation that traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area last week for a three-day “domestic trade mission” with cybersecurity companies.  The group’s primary purpose included announcing and exploring opportunities for the National Cybersecurity Center, which is being planned in the UCCS-owned former TRW building on North Nevada Avenue.  The delegation also included Ed Anderson, interim CEO of the NCC, and Jeff Greene, Mayor Suthers’ Chief of Staff.

Participating in the trade mission had two big benefits for the Colorado Springs business community.  We heard validation of the need for the NCC and its unique mission.  Every company we met with  — from HP Enterprises to SAP to Google — acknowledged there is not another center like the NCC that is providing cyber support to state and local governments and small businesses.  We also strengthened our ties with the governor’s office and the state’s economic development team — that has been a key goal for the Regional Business Alliance this year.

dirkblogvisaThe State of Colorado and Colorado Springs clearly are on the map for the California cyber companies.  Several already have operations in the Pikes Peak region, and others spoke of interest in opening offices in the state.

My action items from the trip include meeting with two of the companies to explore their interest in Colorado Springs, providing input for the NCC, and hosting a delegation from the Governor’s office and the state Office of Economic Development and Trade (OEDIT) for a day trip to our fair city.

Members of Colorado Delegation

  • Governor John Hickenlooper
  • Suma Nallapati, Secretary of Technology and Sate Chief Information Officer
  • Erik Mitisek, Chief Innovation Officer
  • Simon Tafoya, Senior Director for Policy and Strategy
  • Deborah Blyth, Chief Information Security Officer
  • Tauna Lockhart, Chief Communications Officer and Public Information Officer
  • Anna Ewing, Colorado Office of Economic Development and Trade, Chief Operating Officer
  • Andrea Young, Colorado Technology Association, CEO
  • Monica Coughlin, Colorado Technology Association, COO
  • Ed Anderson, National Cybersecurity Center, Interim CEO
  • Jeff Greene, City of Colorado Springs, Chief of Staff

Companies Visited