What to Know About the State of Georgia’s Cybersecurity Industry Ahead of RSA 2022

Information security has never been more important than it is today. Protecting computers, networks, and data from cyberattacks and unauthorized access or other computer intrusion is not only vital for business, but also a competitive advantage in today’s economy.

An elite cybersecurity hub, Georgia bolsters its cybersecurity industry by supporting companies and startups, nurturing tech talent, and providing resources for innovation. The “Tech Capital of the South,” Georgia ranked #7 for top states for cybersecurity by Business Facilities Magazine in 2021 with Atlanta earning the title of the No. 1 Tech Hub spot.

As part of its mission to support the cybersecurity companies in Georgia and promote the state’s resources and assets, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and its economic development partners are looking ahead to the international cybersecurity RSA Conference in June. These representatives will showcase all that Georgia has to offer, honing in on a few key elements that illustrate the strength of the industry and the resources available to existing and emerging tech companies:

Strong corporate culture – Over 75 cybersecurity companies have a presence in Georgia, bringing in an estimated statewide economic impact of $2.6 billion. Creating an impressive information security cluster, these companies include IBM Security Services, Dell SecureWorks, NexDefense, Verint Systems, Check Point, and more. In addition, the state has been dubbed “Transaction Alley,” as 70% of all U.S. financial transactions are now handled by payment processing firms within Georgia.

Robust education pipeline and workforce – Cybersecurity companies can take advantage of the talent, education, and research resources in the state. Georgia currently leads the nation in the development of cyber talent and research with 10 nationally ranked cyber institutes with CAE-R (Cyber Research) or CAE-CD (Cyber Defense) designations. These include Georgia Tech, which boasts 12 labs and cyber centers that allow scientists, faculty, and students to conduct cyber research, and Augusta University, which offers degrees in advanced cyber defender, medical informatics, cyberterrorism, and a master’s of information security management. In addition, Atlanta cultivates a diverse workforce, ranking 4th for tech talent diversity.

Research and development – Georgia is an innovation hub, providing research and development opportunities for both established companies and startups alike. GDEcD’s Center of Innovation (see below!) provides industry expertise in information security, and Tech Square in Midtown Atlanta is home to hundreds of startups and many innovation labs. Georgia companies can also qualify for R&D tax credits as part of Georgia’s pro-business tax incentives. With a network of corporate innovation centers, research universities, investors, and startup companies, Georgia cultivates growth in every technology sector.

U.S Army Cyber Command – Georgia’s cybersecurity ecosystem is heavily influenced by the presence of the U.S. Army Cyber Command at Fort Gordon in Augusta, which serves as a central post for all of the U.S. Army’s cybersecurity operations. Fort Gordon also home to the U.S. Army Signal School, the U.S. Cyber Center of Excellence, and NSA Cryptologic Centers. The Army’s investments demonstrate Fort Gordon’s vital role in national cybersecurity efforts.

The Georgia Center of Innovation – GDEcD’s Center of Innovation is always working to build the cyber and tech ecosystem in Georgia by providing vision and focus to the major opportunities the state has to offer. In 2021, the Center of Innovation ramped up efforts to by adding a new industry engagement strategist position at the Georgia Cyber Center, to the Center’s team. This specialist helps Georgia companies and communities clear the path to innovation through facilitating connections, supporting innovative projects, and providing access to statewide resources. The position supports the Center of Innovation’s IT team with a focus specifically on cybersecurity, working to get a sense of future industry needs.

The Georgia Cyber Center – Augusta is also home to the Georgia Cyber Center, a public/private partnership between academia, government, and the private sector. The Cyber Center is working to train the next generation of cybersecurity personnel with programs from Augusta University and Augusta Technical College, as well as serves as a hub for technology startups and as a touchpoint for the state’s cybersecurity industry. In early 2022, the Center unveiled a new collaborative space called The Garage makerspace, which brings together a co-working space, a hacking space for non-physical prototyping, and a “fab lab” for physical prototyping. The multifunctional innovation space is available to Cyber Center partners.

2022 RSA Conference

The RSA Conference is an opportunity for the Georgia cybersecurity stakeholders to meet with top professionals and business leaders in the industry. The state will have its own pavilion in the exhibit hall, and Georgia representatives will feature a variety of state assets to provide attendees with a point of contact at every touch point in our economic development network. The conference takes place June 6 -June 9, 2022.

The following partners will join us in the Georgia booth:

• Augusta Economic Development Authority
• Augusta University
• Development Authority of Columbia County
• Invest Atlanta
• Georgia Tech
• Georgia Power
• Forward Forsyth
• Metro Atlanta Chamber
• Georgia Cyber Center
• City of Alpharetta
• Tech Alpharetta
• Kennesaw State University

GDEcD looks forward to welcoming visitors at the Georgia booth and to share our mission for supporting economic development across the state as well as promoting the ever-growing presence of cybersecurity assets and resources within Georgia.

For more information about Georgia’s cybersecurity sector, please contact us.

-Posted June 1, 2022