Anne Arundel County Well-Represented as Tech Hub at World’s Leading Information Security Conference

July 8, 2022

AAEDC Business Development Director of Cyber & Technology Sarah Horta traveled from one tech hub by THE bay, Anne Arundel County, to another tech hub by another bay, San Francisco, in early June to attend the world’s leading information security conference and exposition, RSA Conference.

While there, Sarah enjoyed telling some of the conference’s 26,000+ attendees about the thriving tech ecosystem in Anne Arundel County – home to Fort George G. Meade; prominent defense agencies including U.S. Cyber Command, the National Security Agency (NSA) and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA); and more than 1,850 technology companies and roughly 22,500 jobs in information and network security, big data intelligence, and analytics.

She also enjoyed highlighting many of the diverse programs and services at AAEDC that support such a critical industry – for example the Defense Tech Toolbox, which offers a menu of financing, a workforce development grant, and business development consultations to Anne Arundel County technology companies with gross revenue of less than $5 million and fewer than 100 employees; and tech-focused loan programs such as the VOLT Growth Fund and the Next Stage Tech Fund.

Last but certainly not least, Sarah was very proud to support and receive the following feedback from the CEOs of two local cybersecurity firms that shared their expertise at the conference: Optic Cyber Solutions, LLC, and Penacity, LLC.

“We, Optic, had a great time networking with a lot of different cybersecurity companies at RSA Conference 2022,” said Tom Conkle, Optic CEO and Cybersecurity Engineer. “We were also excited for the wonderful turnout and great questions asked during our panel, Cybersecurity: What role do you Play? We were able to host a panel of representatives from a Cloud Service Provider (CSP), a Managed Service Provider (MSP), and a consumer of their services. The panel gave unique insight into the views for how cybersecurity services are provided by each and how they must work together to implement a full cybersecurity program. The panelist answered questions for how consumers could track responsibilities between the three groups using tools such as a Shared Responsibility Matrix and shared the tools that CSPs and MSPs should provide in clearly defining what cybersecurity capabilities they provide and how they provide them to the consumer.”

 

“It was an honor to by asked by the Maryland Department of Commerce to come out to RSA and speak at our offsite satellite event for Maryland and International businesses,” said Dr. Timothy Schilbach, Penacity CEO and President. “The RSA Breakfast Panel tackles the topic of Growth Strategies for growing your business among the Maryland Cyber Companies.”

“Our Host LTG (Ret) Bruce Crawford was our Masters of ceremonies and ran the panel with a series of engaging topics that the panelists answered with our experience on the MD Cyber Market. The panelists who represented Maryland couldn’t have been more qualified to speak on the rigors of starting and growing a cyber business. Leo Scott (DataTribe) and Guy Filippelli (Squadra Ventures) are among the movers and shakers that have funded a lot of startups and incubation for Maryland Companies. My role was based on an entrepreneur point of view. I started my company back in 2016 and have grown it to over 40 employees in 2022.

Since my startup I have worked with Maryland’s resources such as the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) which were instrumental to our growth and success that we enjoy today. I was able to communicate the resources to other business owners and international businesses trying to gain a foot hold in the Maryland Cyber community. The Small Business Development Corporations and individual county EDC’s are instrumental in guiding our businesses through planning, funding and networking opportunities. All things that directly affect the growth of the business.”

“We have been working with Maryland’s Department of Commerce since opening our doors. Ken McCreedy was generous with his time, meeting with us and trying to plug us into the ecosystem. Our partnership with the DOC has been rewarding in assisting with International Business Outreach workforce development.”

“These were among the topics we discussed in addition to strategies how to run the business and interactions with your fellow entrepreneurs. I cannot stress how important that using the state-based resources (SBC’s, EDC’s, State DoC, and Trade Organizations) proportionally affect your growth and success.”

“I am lucky to be among the few who has gone to using the resources to now give back. With our internships, sitting on Boards for Trade Organizations, being a trusted advisor to the DoC and representing them on many international missions. We are now starting to champion legislation and urged our fellow businesses to also get involved while we were at the RSA Breakfast Panel.
In retrospect, it was a rewarding experience and I loved meeting new people, seeing those whom we know and love, all while helping others to grow and create highly effective companies for Maryland’s growing Cyber Economy.”

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