HCEDA and German Cyber Security Council to Sign MOU to Create a Cybersecurity Exchange Platform

Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) and Cyber-Sicherheitsrat Deutschland e.V (CSD) will sign a memorandum of understanding establishing a cybersecurity exchange platform between US and German industry, academia, and government.

CSD, referred to as the German Cyber Security Council in English, was established to support German businesses, government agencies, and political decision-makers in their efforts against cybercrime. The Berlin-based council is the primary convener of these parties within the German cybersecurity ecosystem. This exchange platform will be the first of its kind for CSD in the US.

The cybersecurity exchange platform between HCEDA and CSD will act as an interface between US and German businesses and organizations to facilitate greater inter-country collaboration. It includes the continuation of an exchange program involving companies and delegations from both regions. It will also provide ongoing assistance and cooperation to support investment and trade activities in both the US and Germany.

About the upcoming MOU, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball stated, “The MOU between HCEDA and CSD will establish a pathway between the Howard County and German cyber security markets. The partnership is a significant step forward in fulfilling the global imperative, connecting the Howard County economy to the world, and enabling more avenues through which we can achieve economic prosperity and business investment.”

The MOU will establish Howard County as an entry point for German cybersecurity firms. CSD has licensed a space at HCEDA’s new Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) in Columbia Gateway to support German companies entering the US market. The exchange platform also provides support to local firms looking to enter the German market. Lawrence Twele, CEO of HCEDA spoke to the importance of the MOU, “The addition of this cyber exchange platform adds significant value to the already robust ecosystem of resources that we are building at the Maryland Innovation Center. The partnership will provide MIC companies, and others across the state, unique access to the international cybersecurity market.”

The Maryland Department of Commerce provided key support in the effort to establish the partnership with between HCEDA and CSD. This support included the assignment of several international business experts to assist with HCEDA outreach in Germany. “This is exciting news for Maryland and Howard County as we continue to increase our global partnerships that focus on attracting cybersecurity companies to our state,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “With our highly-educated workforce, critical mass of information technology companies, and proximity to many key federal agencies, Maryland is an outstanding location for international cyber companies that want to enter the U.S. market.”

The MOU signing will take place on March 26^th at the Maryland Innovation Center.

For more information on Cyber-Sicherheitsrat Deutschland e.V, please visit: https://cybersicherheitsrat.de/en

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About HCEDA:

The Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, and attracting corporate/regional headquarters. The Authority also maintains several programs aimed at the special needs of small and agricultural businesses. Additionally, the Authority strives to preserve the distinctive quality of life in Howard County. The Authority can be reached at www.hceda.test.

About the Maryland Innovation Center:

The Maryland Innovation Center is an HCEDA initiative to create a nexus for innovation, collaboration and business support on a county, regional, and global scale, as a center of excellence that fosters and supports business growth. The MIC sits at the heart of the Baltimore-Washington Corridor, bringing together Maryland’s top business and technology leaders for resource sharing, funding support, training, and mentoring. This mission of the MIC is to educate, inspire and connect local entrepreneurs and businesses with the resources and individual guidance they need to grow successfully, and to positively impact the community and region. www.mdinnovationcenter.org