Daily Business Report: Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022
State Audit Report: California’s
information security at risk
CalMatters
California can’t adequately ensure the safety of its information because of lackluster oversight from the California Department of Technology, according to a scathing state audit released Tuesday.
And the possible consequences are only getting bigger: “A specific area of concern that has recently emerged for the state is the potential increase in security risks posed by widespread telework resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote Acting State Auditor Michael Tilden, who’s temporarily replacing Elaine Howle.
Tilden found that, among other things, the Department of Technology has failed to assess the overall security status of the 108 state entities that report directly to Gov. Gavin Newsom; that it doesn’t hold them accountable for identifying potential risks or failing to perform required self-assessments; that it hasn’t set clear security guidelines for telework; and that it hasn’t updated its security and privacy policies to align with federal standards. The state Department of Technology pushed back on many of the audit’s findings, noting that it “anticipated the (cybersecurity) threat” posed by the pandemic and “immediately scaled up and supported technology based pandemic response and remote work enablement.”
COVID-19 Housing Stability Assistance
Program to receive $8.3 million from feds
The federal government has awarded $8.3 million in funds reallocated from other jurisdictions across the country to the City of San Diego for the COVID-19 Housing Stability Assistance Program, which the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) operates.
As of Jan. 18, 2022, SDHC has made payments totaling more than $152.8 million through the COVID-19 Housing Stability Assistance Program to help 14,813 qualifying households with low income that experience financial hardship due to or during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This new funding will enable the San Diego Housing Commission to help more families with low income pay their rent and utilities,” SDHC President & CEO Richard C. Gentry said. “These funds are a direct result of our program successfully getting payments out more quickly than other areas to help struggling households.”
Chris Anderson begins term as president
of Greater San Diego Association of Realtors
Chris Anderson has begun her term as the 2022 President of the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors leading the largest trade association in San Diego County with a membership of 20,000 real estate professionals.
A licensed Realtor for over 30 years, Anderson has long been an influential voice as an industry expert and advocate for private property rights.
She previously served as board president in 2015 and has held numerous leadership roles with SDAR including the board of directors, and committees on Government Affairs, Housing Opportunities, Risk Management, and Professional Standards.
She also served as a director for the California Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. Throughout her extensive work with SDAR, she has remained steeped in service to her community through involvement with the Ramona Community Planning Group and Chamber of Commerce.
Anderson is joined on the Executive Committee by Frank Powell, president-elect; Gerri-Lynn Fives, vice President; Jeremy Sine, treasurer; and past presidents Carla Farley and Kevin Burke.
San Diego’s Thirty Three Threads
announces acquisition of Vooray
Thirty Three Threads, a San Diego-based luxury performance lifestyle company that designs, produces, and distributes branded, co-branded, and private label apparel, socks and bags, announced the acquisition of Vooray International, known for its versatile duffels, backpacks, totes and accessories. The move to buy Vooray was inspired by Thirty-Three Threads’ overarching goal to be a meaningful part of the consumers’ active lifestyle.
“Thirty Three Threads continues its expansion across the activewear category with the purchase of Vooray, a brand that complements our existing portfolio while adding a new category that directly enhances our product offering,” said CEO Barry Buchholtz. “Vooray is a premium brand that reaches the same consumer and produces gear that focuses on performance and design. The synergies and substantial growth opportunities were clear from the beginning of our conversations with the Vooray team.”
San Diego Public Library program offers
library cards for youngest patrons
The San Diego Public Library (SDPL) is launching a new program to support early literacy development and foster a lifelong love of reading. Children under the age of five can now sign up for My First Library Card, a special library card designed just for them.
“We know that reading to children at a young age improves their future literacy,” said Library Director Misty Jones. ”The My First Library Card program builds on that knowledge by introducing children to the library at an early age and setting them up to be readers for life.“
My First Library Card features SDPL’s mascot Odi the Coyote reading in front of a stack of books. To get a card, children and their parents or guardians can visit any SDPL location offering services. When they enroll in the program, kids will receive the library card, an opportunity to take their picture in front of an Odi frame and, while supplies last, a copy of the Odi’s Library Day book and an Odi stuffed animal.
For more information on My First Library Card and available library services, visit the SDPL webpage.
New COVID-19 drug passes phase 2 clinical trial
In a phase 2 clinical trial conducted by Avalo and supported by Sanford Burnham Prebys, a significantly higher proportion of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 remained alive and free of respiratory failure for 28 days after receiving treatment with the new antibody, called CERC-002. Unlike other experimental COVID therapies, CERC-002 does not target the virus itself, instead targeting the immune response associated with the virus to stop the disease from progressing before it becomes fatal.
“At the beginning of the pandemic we thought vaccines were going to be all we really needed. But with variants like omicron, we’re going to have more people that progress to serious illness even with the vaccine,” says study coauthor Carl F. Ware, Ph.D., director of the Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases Center at Sanford Burnham Prebys. “We need treatments to stop the progression to severe disease and death.”
City of Vista Cybersecurity Awareness Program
In partnership with San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE), the City of Vista is offering a Cybersecurity-Awareness Program designed to assist small businesses in becoming more cybersecurity-aware and ultimately strengthening our regional economic resiliency. The program will kick off in February and is free to participating small Vista businesses, made possible by a grant from the City of Vista.
The virtual information session will take place on Feb. 1, 2022 from 1 a.m. to noon.
Register by Jan. 26 to ensure your spot.
California Competes Tax Credit
available for businesses of all sizes
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year.
For fiscal year 2021-2022, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during the following periods:
• Jan. 3, 2022 – Jan. 24, 2022
• March 7, 2022 – March 28, 2022
Prior to each application period, GO-Biz hosts online webinars about the California Competes Tax Credit program. All businesses are encouraged to participate and view the GoBiz webinars to receive instructions on how to apply. SDNEDC can also assist with applications and connecting North County businesses with the right resources so as to increase their potential to win one of the awards.
PhenoVista Biosciences raises growth
capital from BroadOak Capital Partners
PhenoVista Biosciences announced that it has secured funding from BroadOak Capital Partners, a life science-focused investor. Since its founding in 2014, PhenoVista has democratized access to high-content analysis of physiologically relevant cell models. The investment will be used to develop new complex products, such as models of the blood-brain barrier and platforms for better understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
PhenoVista’s team is comprised of experts in diverse fields, such as imaging, assay development, high-throughput and high-content data analysis, microfluidics, machine learning and AI, and advanced cell culture, including primary cells, neurons, organoids, and spheroids. The team’s broad, deep, and versatile skillsets uniquely position the company to tackle challenges in all areas of biology, from immunology and fibrosis to neurodegenerative diseases.
Jeff Ewan promoted to partner at Lavine,
Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg
The accounting firm Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg LLP announced the promotion of Jeff Ewan to partner.
Ewan has extensive experience providing tax services to individuals and a wide range of closely-held businesses, including multistate entities. He has been with the firm since 2009.
“We are excited to welcome Jeff to the partnership,” said Managing Partner Scott Jablow. “The professionalism and leadership he has demonstrated over the last decade will continue to serve our firm and clients for many years to come.”
Active in the community, Ewan is currently a board member of Hillel of San Diego, where he serves as audit chair.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Accountancy degree from Miami University.
Many SDCCD classes to begin
spring semester online
The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) announced it will begin many in-person classes in an online format for the first three weeks of the spring semester. The semester begins Jan. 31 at San Diego City College, Mesa College, and Miramar College and Feb. 2 at the College of Continuing Education. The decision will only affect classes at the colleges which can be temporarily transitioned to online. Specific information on individual courses will be provided by each college.
The district also announced it would extend its remote operations for most employees until Feb. 22. The district had planned for employees to return to work full-time on Jan. 3 but previously announced a delay to counter the rapid spread of COVID-19 in San Diego County. Many employees will now return to working on-site three days per week from Feb. 22 to March 4 and then return full-time starting March 7.
