Looking to Israel For Cyber Protection

Atlanta mayor part of delegation to Tel Aviv tech conference

By David R. Cohen

david@atljewishtimes.com

The latest business mission from Georgia to Israel will include Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on a trip focused on the problem of computer protection.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

The Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Conexx: America Israel Business Connector are joining to run the Georgia Cyber Security Mission to Israel from March 21 to 27. Reed and the chief information officer for the Georgia government, Calvin Rhodes, are scheduled to make the journey.

Lapses in cybersecurity are expected to affect 60 percent of businesses worldwide by 2020, according to technology research firm Gartner.

“The Cyber Security Mission to Israel is important because it addresses a concern that most cities and organizations face,” said Claire Angelle, the city’s director of international affairs. “During this trip, Mayor Reed, along with the Atlanta delegation, will meet with leaders to learn how to scale capacity for innovation while protecting their organizations against cyber threats. I am confident that we will find some state-of-the-art solutions that fit our needs.”

The Israel mission will include participation in the two-day CyberTech International Conference & Exhibition in Tel Aviv on March 24 and 25. The conference will bring together multinational companies, startups, investors and industry experts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to open the conference, which starts a week after the Knesset elections.

The delegation from Georgia will also meet with leading Israeli cyber technology innovators, researchers and executives in Ra’anana, Caesarea and Be’er Sheva. The visit to Be’er Sheva will include Lockheed Martin’s Israeli offices.

“Our goal is to show corporations why Israel should be the first place to look to when seeking solutions, investments and partnerships in this space,” Conexx Chief Operating Officer Guy Tessler said. “At the same time, we would like to expose the Israeli cybersecurity leaders and companies to Georgia’s assets and present it as a world technology leader and a place they should strive to establish strong business ties.”

The organizations joining the Georgia delegation include: