In today’s virtual landscape companies must prioritize defending against modern threats since new ones seemingly arise on a daily basis. Defending against these threats is a multi-faceted undertaking, consisting of good cybersecurity practices and attention to threat intelligence from various sources. BGI recognizes that robust collaboration with other cybersecurity professionals is imperative to achieve success in this arena. BGI accomplishes this aspect of cybersecurity through direct involvement with InfraGard. InfraGard is a nationwide partnership between the FBI and the private sector that promotes mutual collaboration relevant to the protection of critical infrastructure. It is comprised of thousands of IT security professionals at all levels of responsibility, as well as academic professionals, military and government representatives, and law enforcement personnel. Through information sharing, both formal and informal, a multitude of threat reporting and analytical products are made available to InfraGard members.
BGI’s leadership team’s involvement with the Northern Ohio Chapter of InfraGard spans several years, many of which include holding positions on the InfraGard Executive Council as President and Treasurer. Several BGI employees regularly attend the local InfraGard functions and meetings. InfraGard also sometimes partners with other professional organizations such as ASIS and (ISC)2 to, once again, promote collaboration and information sharing.
This type of professional community involvement enhances BGI’s ability to maintain a protective posture. Association with InfraGard remains a top priority for BGI. Involvement at the Executive Council level provides the added benefit of being intimately involved in this community and a contributor to the future success of the organization.