Why San Diego is the Next Big Cyber Security Hub

Warm weather, beaches everywhere, and endless days of sunshine sound like a tropical paradise to almost everyone. As I bundle up in three layers of sweatshirts, coats, hats and gloves, I reminisce about my time spent in San Diego. It’s a land of hipsters (North Park), a world famous zoo, a coastline of beaches, and surprisingly, a place where the cyber security industry is expected to grow by 25% this year.

San Diego is the #1 City for Startups

If you live in or around the greater San Diego area and you’re searching for the right job to learn, work hard, and develop your career, then plenty of startups await your enthusiasm. You may think SD isn’t the best place to start a business, but according to Forbes, the sunny city tops the list.

Cyber Security Industry Expected to Grow Big Time

If you pay attention to cyber security news, it’s easy to notice the number of articles coming out regarding the projected growth for cyber security in this city. With the major naval base situated in San Diego, the number of startups breathing new life, and Qualcomm present in Sorrento Valley, this news makes perfect sense.

Another major indicator of expected growth comes with the arrival of CyberHive San Diego. This “incubator” is designed to assist local cyber security and analytics related startups to further develop their business plans, market their products/services, and secure investors. The CyberHive offers office spaces for around 20 startups at subsidized rates and a certain amount of funding as well.

Now add that good news to the heavenly weather and a high concentration of excellent craft beers, and you have a winning combination and an irresistible urge to relocate to Southern California.

The CyberHive Accelerates Security Industry

Thanks to CyberHive San Diego, we can identify the startup ventures attempting to develop their security products and services. Whether you’re an investor, a professional searching for that dream job and career, or a business owner shopping for the best software, this incubator and other outlets (AngelList) give you an inside look at this targeted market.

Let’s take a quick glance at the top dogs making an impact and impression on this scene.

Attack IQ – Identifying Business Security Holes

The company measures your “Security Posture” with AttackIQ’s FireDrill, Threat Scenario Subscription Service (TS3), security incident response teams (SIRTS, and security operations centers(SOC). They produce realistic attacks on business systems to test their current security state.

PalmChip – Securing the Internet of Things in the Cloud

For the Internet of Things (IoT) enthusiasts looking to connect every facet of our world together through smart devices, this company (founded in 1996) could quiet the naysayers concerned with the potential security holes evident. They bring a cloud-based security solution for the IoT. Do they have what it takes to silence the ongoing criticism?

PacketSled – Real Time Security Visibility and Analysis

This security company supplies technology that detects, prevents, and responds to real-time security threats. To prevent the advanced targeted attacks, PacketSled prepares businesses to battle constant threats prevalent today. They believe they hold a solution for big data security.

Who is FatSkunk?

Out of the security companies listed, this startup (four employees) offers a unique perspective with their technology for detecting mobile malware. To detect and prevent malware on devices, the technology scans the devices from an external server. The software must be embedded on the device though.

FatSkunk received $250,000 in funding from Qualcomm Labs to develop their technology as they work out of the EvoNexus Incubator in downtown San Diego. The San Diego location couldn’t be more perfect for developing their software due to the close proximity to engineers at Qualcomm. As mobile malware grows, perhaps FatSkunk brings a viable solution to negate (or at least reduce) security concerns for consumers and financial institutions.

What other cyber security businesses are worth talking about?