New Cyber Security Initiatives Come to Hanover

On Wednesday, central Maryland took another step toward establishing itself as the hub of the nation’s cyber security efforts, with the grand opening of TeleCommunication Systems’ (TCS) new location in Hanover.

Several key figures were on hand to celebrate the opening, including Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and Christian Johansson, the state’s secretary of business and economic development.

Located at the Baltimore Commons Business Park in Hanover (1333 Ashton Rd.), the TCS office will be home to the company’s Cyber Intelligence Center and Art of Exploitation University.

“There’s hardly a day goes by without a news story about a breach in cyber security, whether in government or the business community,” said Maurice Tosé, chairman and CEO of TCS, speaking to those in attendance Wednesday.

That’s exactly where TCS comes in, he said.

The company’s Art of Exploitation University will seek to train individuals in defense, cryptology, penetration testing, engineering and computer exploitation. The goal is to provide hands-on and innovative training for future cyber defense specialists, Tosé said.

The Cyber Intelligence Center in Hanover will house more than 100 trainees and workers, according to Ruppersberger, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Intelligence Committee.

Cyber attacks are “a serious threat,” Ruppersberger said. “We’re being attacked as we speak. We talk about terrorism and how we got bin Laden, but cyber security is extremely serious because of what can happen.”

He explained that one hacked computer could lead to a breach in one of the nation’s largest private banks, ultimately destabilizing significant parts of the U.S. economy.

Johansson described Maryland as not just leading the nation in cyber security, but leading the world, too.

Ruppersberger, one of the earliest advocates in the country for cyber security jobs and training, expressed his excitement about what effect the new TCS location can have on the surrounding area.

“We are where it is and we’re going to keep going ahead,” Ruppersberger said. “We will like to call ourselves the Silicon Valley of the east.”

New strategies and innovations like the TCS Art of Exploitation University are bringing the fight against cyber attacks to the front door of Hanover residents, a movement that has its ups and downs, said Ruppersberger.

“We’ve talked about jobs, high paying jobs, and all the technology, but you also have families,” he said. “Part of our role as elected officials is, when we have growth, to make sure we provide for those quality of life issues—to make sure we have good schools, have recreation, to make sure we deal with the traffic issue. That’s the challenge, and we have to do it.”

Traffic is one of Ruppersberger’s largest concerns. There will be a need for infrastructure as new companies establish themselves in towns such as Severn and Hanover, he said.

The congressman said the recent agreement between the county and a private business owner to widen Route 175 won’t be the sole solution.

“The focus needs to be on mass transit services,” he said. “Widening the roads doesn’t get the job done by itself.”