More than 50 participants, including representatives from eight South Korean cybersecurity companies, turned out today for a cybersecurity partnership conference co-presented by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) and the Korea Information Security Industry Association (KISIA).

The FCEDA hosted the event at its headquarters in Tysons Corner.

“As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, it has become increasingly important to look at cybersecurity from a global perspective,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the FCEDA. “Fairfax County is at the heart of this effort with more than 450 firms actively engaged in cybersecurity, so it’s only natural that we should host this international event along with KISIA.”

Seong-Yong Ham, spokesman for KISIA’s Global Cooperation Team, noted that the Korean cybersecurity market offers unique and advanced technologies but is somewhat saturated.

“Fairfax County is a very attractive place for Korean cybersecurity companies that hope to (connect) with overseas partners so they can move forward with their products,” he said. “They want to find their niche and we try to provide them with assistance so those companies can stride into other markets. Fairfax County already has a lot of Korean high-tech companies and also some federal government and local government relationships (in cybersecurity).”

More than 60 Korean-owned businesses have a presence in Fairfax County. The FCEDA has maintained an office in Seoul since 2005 to work with Korean companies interested in expanding in the U.S. market.

James Burris, president of Ashburn Consulting, spoke about Fairfax County’s cybersecurity infrastructure, its challenges and regional collaboration during Wednesday’s morning session. Tony Welz and Even Weisel of W2 Communications were featured in the afternoon, discussing ways to market cybersecurity solutions.

Andrew Yu, the FCEDA’s Asia business development manager, observed that the event provided an excellent networking opportunity for local firms interested in collaboration with Korean businesses. George Barros of ADI Technologies in Chantilly was one such example.

“Our firm is always on the lookout for new technologies to bring to Fairfax County,” Barros said. “For our customers in the federal government, anything that brings the technology closer to them so they can feel and touch and talk to the proponents (is a benefit). There are a couple of Korean (companies) here today that I’m interested in that might enable us to do that.”

Others attended to connect at more basic levels. Office Evolutions of Tysons Corner is an example of a firm offering turn-key, furnished office space for companies looking to take that initial step into a new market. “A lot of Korean companies are looking to have that presence and we offer a low-risk alternative without the commitment to sign a big, long-term lease,” company owner John Yu said.

Korean companies that presented at the event are involved in working on innovative solutions to protect valuable assets from some of the world’s toughest cyber threats, including North Korea, Eastern Europe and China. Attendees had the chance to network with Clonix (digital video forensics), eSTORM (online authentication), EYL (quantum random number generator), Fasoo (enterprise DRM and app security testing), F1 Security (website malware detection), Kiwontech (AI email security), Namusoft (ransomware protection), Naonworks (VOIP and smart factory security) and Xabyss (network vulnerability analysis).

The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

KISIA, founded on July 1998, is a non-profit organization representing the companies in the Korean information security industry. It is aimed at the growth of the infrastructure of the security industry. It examines the latest information and trends of the Korean security market to publish a yearly analytical report. Conducting policy research and maintaining a close relationship with the Korean government, we promote public-private cooperation by enhancing communication between both sectors. Development of trained manpower for the industry is also one of KISIA`s major missions.

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