Firms from Atlanta, St. Louis and Alexandria Attracted by the University Technology Park

Contact:
Allie Gold
443-543-5047

Glasses will be raised on August 30 to celebrate the surge of cybersecurity activity at and around the bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park. Local elected officials, CEOs, tenants of the park and other cyber industry movers and shakers will be on hand to network and enjoy the evening’s signature drink, the “cybertini.”

The mystery beverage created for this event will be unveiled in a dramatic way during “Cyber Happy Hour,” 5 to 7 p.m. at 5520 Research Park Drive.

bwtech@UMBC has quickly become a hub for the cyber community in Maryland, with over 20 cybersecurity companies already located there. Over the past several months, national companies have chosen to locate business units at bwtech, including AccelerEyes from Atlanta, Georgia; Appistry from St. Louis, Missouri; and ASET Partners from Alexandria, Virginia.

“Companies benefit from our close proximity to BWI airport and the fact we are in the ‘backyard’ of their government and federal agency clients,” says Ellen Hemmerly, Executive Director of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)UMBC Research Park Corporation. “We are thrilled that the expansion of cybersecurity activity at bwtech is boosting the local economy while providing solutions to real cyber and IT needs.”

SSG, for example, is collaborating with UMBC’s Division of Information Technology on a new compliance monitoring software package. SSG is a recent addition to bwtech’s Cyber Incubator, as is SITEC Consulting, which was named the 2011 TEDCO Incubator Company of the Year.

Alongside the companies at bwtech, several initiatives are in place to accelerate growth of the cyber industry. The Northrop Grumman Cync Program, created through a partnership between UMBC and Northrop Grumman, supports early stage companies that are developing new tools to protect the computer hardware, software and networks vital to national security. Cyber Map is building an online map showing Maryland's cyber resources and facilitating networking between companies. The company also has established the Cyber Hive, which allows companies from across the country to establish a presence in Maryland and access the region's cyber resources and opportunities.

All of bwtech’s activities draw upon UMBC’s strengths in IT and cybersecurity. UMBC ranks fourth among U.S. research universities in the production of IT degrees and certificates, and it is the largest producer of such graduates among research universities in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. The campus offers a master’s degree and a graduate certificate in cybersecurity, and it is rated a Center of Excellence in information assurance education and research. Thousands of UMBC graduates work in the intelligence community for key federal agencies and private partners. Research and collaboration with faculty provides companies with the opportunity to develop and improve upon products and tools.

To strengthen the cybersecurity workforce, UMBC is a founding sponsor of the Maryland Cyber Challenge (MDC3), to be held Oct. 21-22 at the Baltimore Convention Center. This statewide event will give competitors the opportunity to learn and develop skills and techniques needed to protect vital information systems while participating in a fun, competitive, team-based activity.

bwtech@UMBC, located adjacent to UMBC’s campus, is a 71-acre research and technology community that is home to nearly 90 technology and life science companies. Over twenty of these companies are cybersecurity companies.