FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Meg Lewis
Office: 334-261-1104
Cell: 334-312-2007
mlewis@montgomerychamber.com
Montgomery, Ala hosts first of its kind hackathon tackling cyber challenges during Air Force’s Largest Tech Conference
InnovateAFITC collaboration focuses on Smart City-Smart Base Opportunities in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Ala, August 21 – Held in conjunction with the Air Force Information Technology and CyberPower Conference (AFITC) August 28-30, the InnovateAFITC Hackathon is the first collaboration of its nature between the Air Force and the private sector to engage professionals across organizational lines and residents of a local community to innovate solutions to significant cyber challenges and threats.
The theme of the hackathon is “The Smart City & Base of the Future,” an initiative which is a defining aspect of Montgomery’s comprehensive cyber strategy for economic development. Solutions presented by participants must fall into one of seven categories including infrastructure, connectivity, security, resident services, transportation, safety and energy/utilities.
“The InnovateAFITC Hackathon demonstrates the way that Air Force and DOD partners based in Montgomery can tap into local cyber talent pools to solve the challenges of tomorrow using open data and smart solutions. We envision our unique collection of partners and assets, including the Montgomery Internet Exchange (MGMix) powering more long-term initiatives like this in the future,” said Carl Barranco, Montgomery’s Cyber Strategy Coordinator.
Diverse, multi-skilled teams recruited from the robust local tech talent pool employed by Maxwell-Gunter AFB, participants in the Air Force’s National Youth Cyber Education Program called CyberPatriots, and area students will collaborate on projects and present solutions to Air Force and local government, senior leadership and key stakeholders during the AFITC conference.
The team of judges includes Bill Marion, Deputy CIO of the Air Force, Major General Pat Higby, Cyberspace Career Field Manager for the Air Force, and Scott Baker, CIO of Air University, among other representatives from Maxwell- Gunter AFB, and tech professionals in local industry and universities, and the State of Alabama.
InnovateAFITC will kick off on August 27 at 4 p.m. with the release of presentation criteria and the presentations will be made on August 28 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced from the Keynote stage at AFITC on August 30.
InnovateAFITC is made possible through a partnership with The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce’s initiative called TechMGM: Montgomery’s Comprehensive Cyber Strategy for Economic Development, Montgomery AFCEA Chapter Education Foundation and the Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
For more information on innovateAFITC visit www.innovateAFITC.com. For more information on the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce visit www.montgomerychamber.com or find us on FaceBook.
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