The T-REX Innovation Center and its partners want the St. Louis region to recognize two things:

Firstly, there are ongoing existential cybersecurity threats to our nation’s security, financial systems, and a host of other critical systems upon which we depend.

Secondly, the St. Louis region has excellent opportunities as a center of workforce acumen and technological excellence to develop a strong and diverse response to increasing needs in cybersecurity, which will also create jobs, innovation, and new business opportunities throughout the region.

That is why T-REX and its partners are declaring June 7 St. Louis Cyber Awareness Day. Over the past year, T-REX has become a home and a focal point for cybersecurity activity and growth focused on increasing education, awareness and building critical responses to ongoing threats.

CyberSTL.org is a new website that describes St. Louis’ regional cybersecurity resources at universities and organizations, also details the day’s activities that will highlight not only threats that currently exist, but also regional strengths that can be deployed to address these threats.

“Cybersecurity is an incredibly important issue for our nation, and we want to leverage our region’s deep expertise and talent to address critical military and corporate needs, making connections and facilitating activity that can make a real difference for our security, as well as for the growth of jobs and our economy,” said Patricia Hagen, PhD, President and Executive Director of T-REX in a statement.  

“This work is best done in quality partnerships with organizations such as the Midwest Cyber Center of Excellence, the Security Advisors Alliance, SixThirty, and Global STL, (to attract cybersecurity startups from outside the U.S.), as well as our great universities throughout the region.”

The day will begin with the Midwest Cyber Center of Excellence (MWC²) Breakfast, Hosted at the St. Louis Regional Chamber. This event will bring together the Department of Defense stakeholders with corporate America for a conversation about challenges faced by both sectors.

The discussion will be led by General Mitchel Butikofer, Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Cyber Systems. There will also be two major announcements regarding cybersecurity with regards to the local startup ecosystem that afternoon.