Verizon Foundation Supports Cybersecurity Initiative for R.I. Businesses

NEWPORT, R.I., July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pell Center has received a grant from the Verizon Foundation to strengthen cybersecurity in Rhode Island's corporate community. The $15,000 grant will support the Rhode Island Corporate Cybersecurity Initiative (RICCI) during the 2014-2015 academic year.

"The headlines over the last year alone underscore the reality that information security is an executive responsibility," said Pell Center Fellow Francesca Spidalieri. "With Verizon's generous support, RICCI is helping Rhode Island business leaders and companies be aware of and ready for cyber-threats."

Through RICCI, the Pell Center seeks to improve information sharing, raise awareness, encourage cybersecurity training, and foster the idea that information security is not just the domain of IT professionals. RICCI hosts regular seminars, briefings, training sessions, and exercises for corporate leaders. More than 30 companies from the defense, financial services, technology, healthcare, energy, transportation, and telecommunication industries participated in RICCI events since its creation last fall.  The initiative is open to any company doing business in Rhode Island.

Pell Center Executive Director Jim Ludes said, "Verizon is a leader in connecting people and devices with its network and delivering cybersecurity solutions to global clients.  We are grateful for the company's strong support, which will enable the Pell Center to expand our efforts to better prepare leaders for an era of persistent cyber-threat."

Michele Cinquegrano, regional director of government affairs at Verizon, said, "RICCI is an exceptional program that targets an emerging risk to businesses in the digital age. We hope Verizon's support will help establish Rhode Island as a model for cyber leadership in communities around the country."

SOURCE Pell Center

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