Cybersecurity Business Bootcamps Offered for Vets in San Antonio
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) February 26, 2014 -- San Antonio has a growing reputation across the nation for being a key hub for cybersecurity in the private and public sector, and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is aggressively seeking new entrepreneurs to come and build a business in Alamo City. To accomplish this, local vets in the industry announced they will offer their secrets to success with willing entrepreneurs through business boot camps starting in March.
"With a long-standing presence of Air Force cyber and intelligence missions in San Antonio, many former blue-suiters have transitioned from military service to start successful cybersecurity companies here," said Richard Perez, President and CEO of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the cyber boot camps.
The workshops, the first scheduled for March 22, include instruction from cyber vets who want to encourage more new start-ups with vets in the industry in San Antonio. The Chamber is targeting those with military experience in cybersecurity because they are a natural fit to help fill the unmet and growing demand for cybersecurity work across the country, Perez added.
"We are a group of veterans determined to share our business insight and lessons to help other Veterans grow a cyber business in one of the best places for information security – San Antonio. In turn this will spur economic growth and quality jobs for South Texas," said Brad Morrison, Founder and CEO of Innové, a 10 year-old information assurance and secure network managed services provider. Morrison said that although the program is open to all veterans, space is limited and the organizers are holding out for top candidates.
"We know that the benefit of a brain gain in this industry in San Antonio will strengthen our own cyber businesses, and we want to help more vets become our colleagues, and even our competition," said John Dickson, President of the Denim Group, an award winning secure software company based in San Antonio. "We want to bring those finishing their military service to grow the industry and braintrust locally."
The quarterly program will feature key curriculum focused on helping aspiring entrepreneurs test their business strategy, shape a business and financial model and how to tackle sales and marketing and finding the right people to succeed. It will equip entrepreneurial men and women, who are leaving government service, with the skills and knowledge to create a new business in the San Antonio region. This event will be open to all transitioning military and government civilian employees with previous cybersecurity/information assurance expertise. The program will expose cybersecurity talent to key business concepts, as it will be conducted by professionals who have built successful cybersecurity businesses after leaving military service. This mentored program is designed to open the door for new commercial cybersecurity companies and complement the federal and private sector assets in San Antonio.
Joe Krull, Director, Denim Group and one of the local organizers stated, "I had a very smooth transition from military service to a commercial information security role thanks to many people who helped me along the way. I'm pleased to be part of this boot camp and have the opportunity now to give something back."
The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, with 1700 members, has been propelling business success in the region since 1894.
Becky Dinnin, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, http://www.sachamber.org/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/ChamberEventsStartPage.aspx?OE=True, +1 210-229-2112, [email protected]
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