Senator Landrieu, Homeland Security Secretary Johnson tour the CIC
Bossier’s forward thinking approach to cyber security is gaining more national attention.
U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson praised Bossier Parish and its role along the ‘cyber corridor’ (Interstate 20) as a valued part of the nation’s cyber defense movement.
Landrieu, chair of the Senate Energy Committee and Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, said it’s clear that Bossier has the interest and the talent to ensure future success.
“The future is very bright here. Your community leaders get it and are willing to invest in this,” Landrieu said. “All it takes is diligence, hard work and putting one foot in front of the next.”
Landrieu, Johnson and community leaders met at the Cyber Innovation Center Friday to discuss just how this area is helping build Louisiana’s cyber security work force and its plans to create high-paying tech jobs along the I-20 corridor. In February, Computer Sciences Corporation announced that it would be moving into the CIC and adding 800 new jobs to the area.
The CIC began developing educational programs with the goal of organically growing a workforce to support a cyber technology industry. Secretary Johnson was “remarkably impressed” with the the amount of dedication and persistence the community has shown.
“Y’all were into cyber security before it was cool. And I believe that,” Johnson said. “We hope to see the Department of Homeland Security continue to build on this and move forward with this relationship. We are involved with this state on many fronts and it is so important to build a strong cyber workforce to combat the ongoing daily attacks that threaten our cyber security.”
Landrieu and Johnson’s visit to Bossier couldn’t have come at a better time. With Bossier Parish Community College graduating a record breaking Best Online Casinos number of students and high school seniors graduating from the Bossier School System, Johnson said he was also here to “talent hunt” and “recruit the next generation of cyber leaders.”
“National security is no longer just a military base with B-52s,” Johnson said. “Our job is to protect the civilian-dot-gov world and assist the private sector from outside forces.”
The National Cyber Research Park, located at 6220 East Texas Street in Bossier City, currently is a 64-acre, high-tech, cyber-focused complex with expansion up to 3,000 acres. Its location offers data centers the connectivity, redundancy, survivability and collaboration essential for new business development opportunities.
Landrieu concluded her visit to north Louisiana with a roundtable discussion among the top military brass from installations across Louisiana, including Colonel Andrew Gebara, Barksdale Air Force Wing Commander, to discuss Energy Security and job creation. Top officials from Barksdale Air Force Base, Fort Polk, Belle Chase Joint Reserve base, the Louisiana National Guard, and Sandia National Laboratories were in attendance.
