Cyber Readiness Institute, Idaho National Laboratory, and University of Florida host Cybersecurity Summit for local businesses

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In response to the escalating cyber threats facing small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the Cyber Readiness Institute, in partnership with Idaho National Laboratory and the University of Florida, will co-host the Florida Institute for Cybersecurity Research Summit on Cybersecurity for Small Business on Friday, Oct. 4, at Malachowsky Hall at UF.

The summit aims to equip SMBs with knowledge and tools to help strengthen their cyber resilience.

“Florida continues to lead the nation in proactive cyber resilience and mitigation,” said Florida Department of Management Services Secretary Pedro Allende. “Protecting the essential services Floridians rely on begins with innovative cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure, local government, and private partners.”

The Summit will feature speakers from business, academia, and government, including Warren Sponholtz, Florida’s chief information officer, who will deliver the opening keynote address.

Featured speakers and moderators include:

• Karen S. Evans – managing director, Cyber Readiness Institute
• Pedro Allende – secretary, Florida Department of Management Services
• David M. Bezzant – vice president of T-Mobile for Government
• Daniel Eliot – NIST lead for Small Business Engagement
• Eileen Vidrine – national security expert
• Troy M. Bettencourt – global partner and head of IBM X-Force

The Summit will explore critical topics such as building cyber resilience, securing supply chains, addressing emerging threats, and protecting critical infrastructure. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to help build a cyber-ready and resilient culture, equipping them to face the ever-evolving cyber-threat landscape.

Whether you’re a small business owner, an academic, or a government leader, this summit offers the opportunity to gain insights, make valuable connections, and take steps toward securing your organization.

Register today at FICS Research Summit Registration and join us on October 4, 2024, to help create a more secure and resilient future for SMBs across Florida and beyond.

About FICS Research:

The Florida Institute for Cybersecurity Research (FICS Research) was established to be the nation’s premier multidisciplinary research institute in the advancing of cybersecurity as a basis for long-term partnership and collaboration among industry, academia, and government. FICS Research’s mission is to directly support the research needs of industry and government partners with pooled, leveraged resources and maximized synergy and to enhance the educational experience for a diverse set of top-quality graduate and undergraduate students. FICS Research will advance knowledge and technologies in this emerging field and ensure commercial relevance of the research with rapid and effective technology transfer and establishment of spin-off companies.

About Idaho National Laboratory:

Battelle Energy Alliance manages Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, celebrating 75 years of scientific innovations in 2024. The laboratory performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

About Cyber Readiness Institute:

The Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) is housed within the Center for Global Enterprise (CGE), a New York-based nonprofit applied research organization. CRI was launched in 2017 to address the underserved needs of the SMB community by focusing on human behavior and organizational culture. Its co-chairs and members — including Apple, Mastercard, Microsoft, T-Mobile, and CGE — see a pressing need to provide resources, technology, and leadership to better secure SMBs against cyber threats. Their collaboration has shaped the development of free content and tools aimed at preparing for, responding to, and recovering from incidents affecting SMBs worldwide. Founding, as well as previous members, ExxonMobil, General Motors, Principal Financial Group, and PSP Partners continue to support the objectives and programs of CRI.