CYBERSECURITY

Michigan can position itself to develop cybersecurity capabilities that meet current gaps in the market, including new technologies and a highly trained workforce.

Current growth in this sector is being driven by increasing IT security budgets and the Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative (CNCI) ─ a federal initiative designed to reduce the vulnerability of government information systems to attack. However, we anticipate that over time spending will also increase in the commercial environment as the government recognizes its wider role in protecting critical infrastructure and intellectual property from attack.

Michigan’s strong capabilities closely align with the requisite capabilities needed to capture programs in cybersecurity. With an overall growth estimated at 7.4 percent, cybersecurity is one of the most accessible market opportunities.

Two longer-term focus areas within the CNCI offer opportunities for Michigan to leverage its strengths: cybersecurity education and development of "leap ahead" and next-generation solutions. Next-generation solutions will be the focus of federal and commercial R&D efforts, as well as representing potential merger and acquisition targets for larger integrators.