Pell Center receives $15K grant from Verizon Foundation

The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy has received a $15,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to support its Rhode Island Corporate Cybersecurity Initiative during the 2014-2015 academic year.

“The headlines over the last year alone underscore the reality that information security is an executive responsibility,” said Francesca Spidalieri, Pell Center fellow for cyber leadership. “With Verizon’s generous support, RICCI is helping Rhode Island business leaders and companies be aware of and ready for cyber-threats.”

The initiative seeks to improve information sharing, raise awareness, encourage cybersecurity training and foster the idea that information security is not just the domain of IT professionals.

More than 30 companies from the defense, financial services, technology, health care, energy, transportation and telecommunication industries have participated in the initiative’s seminars, briefings, training sessions and exercises since its creation last fall.

“RICCI is an exceptional program that targets an emerging risk to businesses in the digital age,” said Michele Cinquegrano, regional director of government affairs for Verizon. “We hope Verizon’s support will help establish Rhode Island as a model for cyber leadership in communities around the country.”

More information on the Rhode Island Corporate Cybersecurity Initiative.