U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand delivered remarks on her recent work in the cybersecurity domain to members of the Queens Tech Council at the Bulova Corporate Center headquarters of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Gillibrand, who sits on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, also joined in a roundtable discussion with tech and business leaders from across the borough.
“Technology impacts the lives of all people, including the lives of our small business owners across the country who work tirelessly to try and protect their customer information and their intellectual property,” Gillibrand said. “The work I’m doing in cybersecurity is not only imperative for our nation’s security, but also for the private sector. My proposal for a state-of-the-art Cyber Academy would focus on the training of qualified personnel and would provide civic-minded young people with a free unparalleled post-secondary technological education and a way to serve their country outside of the military.”
Participants heard opening remarks from Queens Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Tom Grech, who served as moderator for the roundtable conversation.
“Throughout her years in government, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has dedicated herself to being both accountable and transparent to her constituents. Her attendance at our event to discuss the ways we can better protect ourselves in this digital world highlighted that dedication,” Grech said. “The Queens Chamber of Commerce knows that supporting a strong tech ecosystem requires more than just attracting the world’s most prominent tech companies to Queens, but also protecting their private data and information from threats, both domestic and abroad. Through our innovative programming, including the launch of our Queens Tech Incubator, we remain dedicated to training individuals in the most sought-after areas of technology including the cybersecurity realm.”
Launched in February 2021, the Queens Tech Council focuses on building an economy that embraces innovation and promotes tech adoption, from existing giants in established industries to startups working on cutting-edge applications. This means ensuring Queens is producing the talent that companies look for, that Queens-based tech companies are able to get the resources and capital they need, and that businesses in traditional industries are able to adapt to the changing economy, successfully integrate new technologies, and upskill their workforces to remain competitive and thrive in the years ahead.
“The persistent gaps in our federal tech workforce call for bold, innovative solutions to sustainability bring in young talent, build out our digital capabilities and maintain our strength and influence in cyberspace,” Gillibrand said. “Many of these leaders will go on to work in the private sector, where they will take the skills they learned in government to protect businesses across the country, including here in New York. Queens is a hub for diversity and education, and it is wonderful hearing from leaders in the area and their ideas on how we can build a secure future for all.”
