Magazine cites Augusta center as way to tackle problems
The magazine Government Technology reports that Georgia is one of a few states working to address a shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The report notes that Dan Coats, President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence, recently labeled cybersecurity his "greatest concern," ahead of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. In 2015, the market research firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that there would be a global shortage of 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals by 2020. But this gap will continue to widen. The International Information System Security Certification Consortium estimates that number will grow to 1.8 million by 2022. The magazine says Georgia is one of the states addressing the problem head-on, with the announcement last year by Gov. Nathan Deal that the state will spend $93 million to build a cyber innovation and training center in Augusta. The center will not only be an incubator for new cybersecurity start-ups and house the GBI's cybercrime unit, but it will also provide space for cyber workforce development programs, including training space for state and local professionals.
Deal to address tech school grads in Statesboro
Gov. Nathan Deal will be the keynote speaker May 10 when Ogeechee Technical College awards 1,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates to about 325 graduates, the Statesboro Herald reports. OTC President Lori Durden said Deal is a "great advocate for education and has been a true supporter of technical education and Ogeechee Tech."
No tears shed over well-known grower’s new crop
Bland Farms of Glennville, well-known for its Vidalia onions, has been recognized for expanding into sales of the sweet potato. It's something the company started in 2014. This month, Gov. Nathan Deal presented the company with the GLOBE (Georgia Launching Opportunities by Exporting) Award, reports packer.com, a website for the fruit and vegetable industries. "The opportunity to expand our business by exporting sweet potatoes not only helps us, but it takes a Georgia-grown product to consumers worldwide," Bland Farms CEO Jeff Bailey said in the release.
Governing magazine: Democrat a relative long shot in Georgia governor’s race
Governing magazine reports that there's been little change in its forecasts for the 2018 gubernatorial races. New York has moved from "safe Democrat" to "likely Democrat" since the magazine last made predictions in this year's 36 contests. But otherwise, that's it. The magazine predicts that 18 seats are still vulnerable, including 12 held by Republicans, five by Democrats and one by an independent. The magazine says Democrats are making progress in Georgia, particularly in the suburbs, but it still says the state's gubernatorial race remains a relative long shot for Democrats this fall. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp head the list of Republican candidates seeking to succeed two-term Gov. Nathan Deal. Also in that contest are former state Sen. Hunter Hill, businessman Clay Tippins and state Sen. Michael Williams. In the short term, Cagle's efforts to punish Delta Air Lines for ending a National Rifle Association discount have been popular with the GOP base, but some business leaders have been spooked by the move. On the Democratic side, the race of the Staceys continues — former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and former state Rep. Stacey Evans are both running. Abrams is African-American and more liberal, and Evans is white and more moderate.
Stay on top of what’s happening in Georgia government and politics at PoliticallyGeorgia.com.
About the Author
