ESET Establishes ESET Foundation

ESET today announced that it has established the ESET Foundation, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. ESET has established the ESET Foundation to further support its Securing Our eCity initiative and commitment to community collaboration to support cybersecurity awareness, education and societal challenges within the San Diego community and across the nation.

“The ESET Foundation is strongly committed to providing support to the greater San Diego area and to computer users across the world,” said Anton Zajac, president of ESET North America and ESET Foundation president. “We believe that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and are working to arm computer users with the tools and knowledge necessary to become safer in cyber space. We are honored by the support that the community and nation have given to Securing Our eCity and are thrilled to have such prominent representatives from industry and community on our board of directors for the foundation.”

In mid-2008, Securing Our eCity was established and a movement to educate San Diego’s digital citizens was born. Securing Our eCity provides awareness of potential issues and offers free cybersecurity information and education that assists businesses, families, youths and seniors to better prepare for a safer cyber experience in rapidly changing technology driven environments.

“With cybersecurity being a critical issue, programs like Securing Our eCity are crucial in providing the necessary resources related to education to help keep businesses and consumers safe in cyber space,” said Jessie J. Knight Jr., chairman and CEO of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and ESET Foundation chairperson. “At SDG&E, we are committed to protecting our critical infrastructure and working with the community to create a new generation of cyber-savvy citizens. I look forward to working with the ESET Foundation to continue to bring cybersecurity awareness, education and preparation to the residents of San Diego.”

This past year, Securing Our eCity worked with organizations like the San Diego Police Foundation, Girl Scouts USA, The Boy Scouts of America and others to bring cybersecurity awareness and education to the San Diego community. Additionally, Securing Our eCity expanded nationally by aligning with other various cyber initiatives across the nation including: Cyber City USA in San Antonio, TX, WC4 in Washtenaw County, MI, and Cyber Maryland to advance cybersecurity awareness, education and preparation through community driven programs. Furthermore, Securing Our eCity’s 2011 fall symposium and awards ceremony was attended by more than 350 security professionals, business executives and managers, IT consultants, government and law enforcement officials.

“Securing Our eCity has done a tremendous job of working to make San Diego a place where people can build a better cybersecurity environment through community engagement,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance and ESET Foundation board member. “We are excited that the National Cyber Security Alliance has been a part of Securing Our eCity from the beginning, and we look forward to continuing to support the program, both in San Diego and across the nation.”

ESET Foundation board members and officers include, Jessie J. Knight Jr., chairperson, Anton Zajac, president, Randy Frisch, treasurer and Pamela Richardson, secretary. Additional board members include, Andrew Lee, CEO of ESET North America, Darin Andersen, general manager North America for Norman Defense Systems, Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, Liz Fraumann, director of cybersecurity awareness and education at ESET North America, as well as other members of the San Diego community.

For additional information about Securing Our eCity, upcoming events and ways to get involved, please visit, http://www.securingourecity.com/.

About The ESET Foundation

Founded in late 2011, the ESET Foundation’s mission is to foster community collaboration to create educational awareness for cyber and societal challenges. Headquarted in San Diego, the ESET Foundation’s signature program is the award-winning Securing Our eCity®, recognized in 2010 by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the best local and community program. The ESET Foundation brings together like-minded organizations whose primary goal is to encourage cybersecurity for business, families, youth and seniors. For more information visit www.esetfoundation.org or, please email Steve.Kovsky@esetfoundation.org

About Securing Our eCity

Securing Our eCity (SOeC) is an initiative created and led by ESET North America, a San Diego based software security company. SOeC is focused on fostering public/private partnerships at local, state, national and international levels while helping counter cyber threats and creating more cyber secure communities across the globe. Stakeholders from coast to coast including consumer advocates, business owners, and governmental agencies (law enforcement and legislative bodies) have come together to raise awareness, education and help individuals and businesses prepare for cyber security challenges now and in the future. The founding stakeholders include ESET North America, San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, UCSD and SDSU. To learn more, visit: www.securingourecity.org

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