A recent McKinsey article states that cyberattacks are costly, and they appear to be broadening in scope. Every corporate boardroom and even federal, state and local government agencies are discussing how to avert cyber threats. The State of Georgia is addressing this issue.

Governor Nathan Deal announced his vision for a Cyber Center in his State of the State Address on January 11, 2017. It was more than a vision; it became a reality in just 18 months with the ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 10, 2018. And now it is positioned to become one of the world’s leading centers for cybersecurity. Governor Deal tasked State CIO Calvin Rhodes to turn his vision into reality, and that he did. The story of how a unique collaboration among government, academia, the military and the private sector is resulting in a cyber ecosystem is truly remarkable. I had the opportunity to speak with Rhodes about the Cyber Center and following is an excerpt from our conversation.

Phil Weinzimer: The Georgia Cyber Center is a massive undertaking. What are the reasons for developing a cyber center in Georgia?

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Calvin Rhodes: The very beginning of the Georgia Cyber Center is a story within itself. It all started with the U.S. Army’s decision to consolidate its Cyber Command headquarters at Fort Gordon. That decision created a need for a workforce with skills in cybersecurity – skills also needed by employers across Georgia and that decision created an exciting opportunity for Augusta.

Cyber is a growing threat across the U.S. and around the world and no single sector can address the growing threats from cybercriminals on their own. An effective response takes a collaborative, coordinated effort from government, academia, the military and the private sector. The idea of a Cyber Center in Augusta, Georgia, and the impressive resources it can offer provide the ideal environment for different sectors to work together to educate and train the next generation of cyber professionals and to develop innovative cybersecurity tools and solutions.

Two philanthropists and businessmen from Augusta, James M. Hull and William D. McKnight, see cyber as a growing issue, and they approached Governor Deal with the idea that the state should invest in a cyber facility to support workforce development and encourage innovation and research.