Assemblymember Brindisi’s Bill to Create a Cyber Research Institute in Rome Passes Assembly

June 14, 2012

In a push to boost economic development in the Mohawk Valley and strengthen military assets at the Rome Air Force Research Lab (Rome Lab) and Griffiss Business and Technology Park, Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) announced a bill he authored to develop a Cyber Research Institute in Rome has passed the Assembly (A.9663-A). The legislation would authorize the New York State Urban Development Corporation to enter into public and private partnerships with the Rome Lab, creating the institute and establishing a cyber-security research hub for both state and national purposes.

“The Cyber Research Institute would provide a jumpstart to our local economy by bringing specialized, high-tech jobs right here to the Mohawk Valley,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “Additionally, this legislation would expand the crucial role that Rome Labs plays in protecting our nation by committing more resources and more manpower toward research and development in cyber security.”

The Cyber Research Institute would provide facilities and infrastructure for partnering colleges within the Rome Lab and Griffiss Business and Technology Park. Educationally, it would allow faculty members to conduct and participate in classified projects sponsored by the Air Force and other governmental agencies. Research assignments would include a wide variety of topics, including cyber security, information management, communications and intelligence analysis, military command and control and high-performance computing.

"This bill is a major positive development that demonstrates NY State's commitment to build on the important work of the Rome Lab in the critical area of cyber research, which is essential for both national defense and protecting America's homeland information technology infrastructure.” said Mary Carol Chruscicki, Executive Director of Cyber New York Alliance. “The Cyber Research Institute will enhance and expand the reach of the AFRL Information Directorate, helping it address the cyber threats that affect both the military and civilian sectors."

The Rome Lab currently employs 1,300 people working on various projects, including cyber-security development, and is surrounded by private companies doing work in similar fields. Colleges such as Utica College have expanded educational programs to fill the demand for jobs in this industry, noted Assemblymember Brindisi.

“There is an ongoing threat of cyber attacks on the government at all levels, so by expanding what we have already established at the Rome Lab and creating this institution, we are one step ahead of the game,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “We are creating an ideal environment for exceptional collaboration in cyber security right here in the Mohawk Valley.”

The Rome Lab has been threatened repeatedly from previous Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) cuts. In the 1990s, BRAC forced the Griffiss Air Force Base to shut down. Assemblymember Brindisi has been committed to fighting for the continued protection of local military bases by voting for the 2012-13 budget, which allocated $5 million for military-base retention efforts and another $600,000 for military-base redevelopment.

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