Event Notices From May 24

Automation Alley To Host Conference On Cybersecurity, Industrial Espionage: Industrial espionage may sound like the stuff of Hollywood, but recent history has proven it to be a very real threat. According to some estimates, cyber thieves cost United States companies $400 billion in intellectual property last year alone. With companies like Dow, Lockheed Martin and JPMorgan Chase & Co. falling victim, no one can afford to go uneducated. Companies interested in learning how to protect their valuable trade secrets and intellectual property are invited to join Automation Alley, Michigan's largest technology business association, for "Cybersecurity and Industrial Espionage: Assessing Your Global Risks and Threats" June 14 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Automation Alley Headquarters, 2675 Bellingham in Troy. Potential dangers range from lone hackers poaching trade secrets purely for the adrenaline rush to state-sponsored targeting of companies, universities, government laboratories and other R&D institutions. They can even be fellow competitors or coworkers. This conference is designed to create awareness among Southeast Michigan companies whose trade secrets and other confidential data may be compromised by hackers. The conference will be moderated by Matt Roush, editor of the Great Lakes Innovation and Technology Report. Guest speakers include Thomas Rankin and Chris Bartolo, special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The conference will feature case studies from company executives whose networks have been breached, including a discussion on what safeguards were implemented to mitigate future risks of espionage. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has been invited to give the keynote address at the event. The cost for members is $99 with pre-registration or $109 at the door. Cost for non-members is $149 with pre-registration or $159 at the door. Pre-registration closes June 12 at close of business. Foundation Members are invited to attend at no cost, but pre-registration is appreciated. For more information or to register, contact the Automation Alley Resource Center at (800) 427-5100 or info@automationalley.com, or visit automationalley.com.