Cybersecurity Drives Top Discussions for the Day

On November 10th, KatzAbosch, a regional CPA and business consulting firm hosted its first annual Government Contracting Symposium. Speakers spoke on a number of cyber security topics related to the current issues and trends affecting this sector. The full-day event was developed to support the growth and prosperity goals of small to mid-size businesses in the industry.

The event begun with a key note speaker, Ken McCreedy, Director of Cybersecurity and Aerospace Business and Economic Development at Maryland Department of Commerce. He spoke to the audience of government contractors and associates on the trends occurring in the industry for 2017.

A morning panel discussion followed and provided a glimpse into how cyber threats are affecting energy, finance and professional service companies. The panel of leaders included: former NCFTA Director and FBI Unit Chief, Dan Larkin, who is now an Operations VP-Senior expert at PNC Bank; Spencer Wilcox, CISSP, CPP, Director of Security Strategy, Risk & Assurance at Exelon; and Keith Moulsdale, Partner and Co-chair of Cyber Security, Information Management & Privacy at Whiteford Taylor Preston. Facilitated by Josh Sutherland, CPA, Principal at KatzAbosch, the panel answered a number of topical questions from what do they see as the biggest risks related to cyber-attacks to how they are preparing budgets for cyber protection.

The second panel facilitated by Mr. Sutherland addressed growing your business through successful teaming arrangements. Executives discussed current trends, what they look for in subcontracting, hiring processes and their perspective on procurement and growth. The following industry leaders spoke:

• Deb Alderson, President and CEO of Sotera Defense Solutions
• Gregg Smith, CEO of Optio Labs
• Jay Salkini, Founder, CEO and Head of Production Innovations at Tecore Networks
• Mark Powell, CEO of ARGO Systems

James Bratten, President and CEO EzGovOpps, presented in the afternoon on the new GSA reporting requirements for transactional data reporting. Mr. Bratten provided an overview on the regulation and how to prepare for it. The afternoon key note speaker was Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. He served a committee-record 12 years on the House Intelligence Committee, including four as a Ranking Member. The committee oversees the collection and analysis of intelligence from around the world to ensure our national security and prevent potential crisis situations — especially terrorist activity. The Congressman provide his expertise and insight around cyber security and cyber threats. He spoke on how he has seen companies protect themselves against these threats and where these threats are coming from. In addition, Congressman Ruppersberger took time to answer the audience’s questions.

In honor of Veteran’s Day a special thank you message was delivered by Mr. Sutherland and a celebratory cake was provided during lunch. It was also the Marine Corps 241st birthday. A surprise cake was presented to panelist, Mark Powell, who is a distinguished Marine. Fellow Marine’s participating at the symposium joined in the ceremonial cutting of the cake. As tradition holds the most senior and junior Marines led the cutting of the cake.

The free, educational event hosted approximately 100 attendees at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, in Hanover, Maryland. Networking and expert resource discussion opportunities were provided throughout the day. Sponsors include: Chesapeake Regional Tech Council, Cyber Security Association of Maryland, Inc., The Columbia Bank, and Unanet.

Ken McCreedy, Director of Cybersecurity and Aerospace Business and Economic Development at Maryland Department of Commerce

Government Contracting Symposium Panel 1

Government Contracting Symposium Panel 2

Veteran’s Day Cake

About KatzAbosch

Founded in 1969, KatzAbosch is one of the largest CPA and business consulting services in the Mid-Atlantic region. As a Maryland accounting firm, our mission is to provide the highest quality accounting, tax, financial and management consulting services to our regional clients. We understand the needs and challenges of our clients and we have made it our obligation to create, grow and protect asset value. KatzAbosch is consistently named a Best Accounting Firm to Work For in Accounting Today and has been named a Top 200 Accounting Firms in the Nation by Inside Public Accounting for 2014. Our firm is also ranked among the Top 15 Largest Accounting Firms in the Baltimore Area by the Baltimore Business Journal and a Top Workplace in 2014 by The Baltimore Sun.