Deadline extended to July 19, 2019: participate in our cybersecurity diversification program
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – Cybersecurity has a $1 billion economic impact in the Pikes Peak region. The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) are collaborating to make sure that number is only the beginning for our community – and they’re looking for eligible cybersecurity companies to help them do it.
The two organizations, with PPCC as the primary recipient and the Chamber & EDC as a subrecipient, received a grant from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) for over $900,000 to pursue multiple cybersecurity community initiatives, including a cybersecurity defense diversification program. The grant is part of a multi-phase effort to strengthen and diversify the region’s growing cyber assets.
A previous OEA grant helped define Colorado Springs’ cybersecurity ecosystem and found that a significant number of local cybersecurity companies focus on defense contracts to support the region’s five military installations. As a result, this second phase of funding will concentrate on helping six to eight defense companies compete on a broader scale for government contracts, as well as assist them to diversify into the commercial market. This will help the companies weather periods of reduced defense spending and bolster the commercial cybersecurity market.
The Chamber & EDC is partnering with Simon Everett, Ltd., a strategic consulting firm well versed in the defense and cybersecurity sectors, to develop and execute the diversification program. Offerings will include strategy training and workshops, as well as branding and marketing assistance. The teams will track participants’ outcomes for 12 months post-engagement.
The Chamber & EDC is currently looking for Colorado Springs-based defense contractors that provide cybersecurity products or services in support of the Department of Defense to participate in the program. The deadline for submissions has been extended to July 19, 2019 to allow more companies to complete the application process. To apply, download the application and follow submission instructions. Additional information can be found at ColoradoSpringsCybersecurity.com.
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