DCPR and Zephyr Strategy, teamed on PR and marketing for the IT Security Entrepreneurs’ Forum (ITSEF), a prestigious and unique gathering at Stanford University that brings together top security leaders from government, industry, venture capital, and entrepreneurs.

San Francisco & Washington, DC - March 25, 2009 - As adversaries launch cyber attacks with greater frequency and sophistication against government and commercial networks and websites, the US faces perilous threats to its financial and banking systems, power grid, and national defense.  The development of counter technologies that can protect our electronic networks and operating systems, however, are facing dwindling R&D and capital to get them funded; outdated government procurement that can't keep pace with newly emerging threats; and entrepreneurs that are being lured to more financially supportive and eager partners outside the US.  

The entrepreneurial engine of Silicon Valley, which drives the development of new disruptive technologies has largely been disconnected both culturally and geographically from DC's 'Beltway' establishment.  To help overcome this problem, the IT Security Entrepreneurs' Forum held March 18th at Stanford University provided hundreds of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs the opportunity to discuss and engage first-hand with government, military, and intelligence agencies on how they can collaborate and build the solutions that protect the U.S. electronic cyber infrastructure. 

ITSEF speakers included Lieutenant General Keith Alexander, Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), Symantec CEO & Chairman John Thompson, other top DHS and government cyber experts, academics, VCs and and industry Information Assurance Directors and CISOs.

Robert Rodriguez, the founder of the Security Innovation Network who brought together this braintrust of security thought-leaders, was recognized by CSO Magazine with its Compass Leader Award for his outstanding contributions. Robert’s creation of the IT Security Entrepreneurs’ Forum has helped build the relationships, connect ideas, and accelerate the collaboration needed for security innovation.  For more information, visit http://www.publicprivatepartnerships.org/.

General Alexander, Director of NSA addresses the audience at ITSEF at Stanford University.