TEL AVIV, Israel (May 11, 2018) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined leadership of Cybertech, one of the world’s largest cybersecurity conferences, in Tel Aviv, Israel, as they announced plans to host the inaugural Cybertech Midwest event in Indiana this fall.
“We’re thrilled to host the first ever Cybertech Midwest conference in our capital city,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Our trip to Israel demonstrated the collaborative potential Indiana has with Israel on cybersecurity issues, and no one hosts major events better than Indianapolis. We look forward to showcasing Hoosier Hospitality to cybertech leaders from around the world.”
Israel is a global leader in cybersecurity, accounting for approximately 10 percent of the world’s GDP related to cyber technology. Cybertech was started in Tel Aviv and it remains its largest summit, attracting more than 15,000 attendees in 2018. The conference has expanded globally, hosting events in Tokyo, Singapore, Panama and Rome, and will now hold its first summit in the Midwest, attracting international industry experts in cybersecurity to Indiana, sharing best practices in cyber technologies and innovations.
In 2017, Gov. Holcomb signed an executive order establishing the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity (IECC). Council and advisory members are focused on evaluating Indiana’s cyber risk profile, establishing a strategic framework of cybersecurity initiatives and leveraging the state’s assets to remain on the forefront of cybersecurity. One of the council’s priorities was to attract Cybertech and its global network of businesses, investors and experts to Indiana.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring the Cybertech to Indiana for our flagship U.S. event,” said Amir Rapaport, founder of Cybertech (pictured). “We see Indiana as the ideal location for our Cybertech event due to its vibrant cyber eco-system, with incredible involvement and passion from the state, industry, academia and local government when it comes to cybersecurity, protection and innovation.”
Cybertech Midwest will kick off in 2018 with a one-day conference on Oct. 23 in Indianapolis, which is expected to attract more than 700 attendees with speakers and panels focused on global cyber strategies in sectors like logistics and transportation, utilities, defense, healthcare, financial services, business and local government. Cybertech Midwest will also follow up with a multi-day conference and exhibition in June 2019. More information about the conference is available online.
As critical infrastructure and systems become digitally interconnected across the state, Indiana recognizes the need to advance strategic cybersecurity initiatives leveraging assets like its universities, research centers and business community. More than 30 Indiana universities and colleges offer cybersecurity courses, creating a talented employee pipeline. In addition, companies like Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, Cummins, Pondurance and Defcon Cyber have formed business units focused solely on cybersecurity.
“Securing Indiana’s information technology infrastructure and industrial control systems is beyond the reach of any single entity,” said Bryan Langley, chair of the IECC and executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. “That is why the efforts of the council and partnerships is so imperative to address cybersecurity comprehensively and effectively in Indiana.”
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Holcomb’s economic development mission to Israel with the goal of strengthening global business ties and sharing best practices in emerging technologies and innovation. During the trip, the governor and delegation attended the Agritech Israel summit, met with a number of businesses, signed an MOU with the Israel Innovation Authority to advance 21st century solutions, and met with Israeli government officials to discuss Indiana-Israel economic ties and share best practices.
More information on the state’s relationship with Israel is available here.
