Daily Business Report: Monday, Oct. 17, 2022
Recent cyberattacks highlight
the vulnerability of California schools
By Joe Hong | CalMatters
If Los Angeles Unified, the state’s largest school district, can be hit with a ransomware attack, how prepared are California’s public schools for the increasing threat of cyberattacks?
It depends, according to experts working in the field of cybersecurity and information technology in the state’s public schools. Some districts might have a handful of cybersecurity professionals on staff, while others don’t have any. On top of that, there are currently no statewide guidelines for digital security at school districts.
“The vast majority of districts don’t have a single member dedicated to cybersecurity threats,” said Terry Loftus, assistant superintendent for the San Diego County Office of Education. “There’s no real set standard.”
Loftus has his own team of five cybersecurity professionals, the largest in the state. But he says that’s largely because he did his graduate studies in cybersecurity and made the team a priority. Not all districts are that equipped.
Top Photo: Some schools use their stimulus funds to buy laptops for students. (Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters)
State begins construction on 10,000-mile broadband
network to bring high-speed internet service to all
Construction began last week on State Route 67 near Poway on the first leg of the 10,000-mile broadband network aimed at bringing high-speed internet services to all Californians, no matter where they live.
Gov. GavinmNewsom administration officials gathered at the site as 500 feet of fiber optic cable was blown through conduit in the first segment of a massive, $3.6 billion statewide project known as the “Middle Mile” broadband network.
The planned network, which will be the nation’s largest, will cover the entire state to help bring reliable, high-speed internet access to the millions of Californians who do not have it now. Roughly one in five Californians do not have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet. Once complete, funding for “last mile” efforts will support internet connections from “middle mile” lines to homes and businesses, as well as efforts to ensure individuals can afford broadband service where it already exists.
San Diego’s D&K Engineering acquired by Burke Porter Group
San Diego-based D&K Engineering has been acquired by Michigan-based Burke Porter Group. Financial terms were not disclosed. D&K is an international end-to-end product design and contract manufacturing services provider supporting companies across medical and life sciences and other advanced technology industries to commercialize breakthrough, science-based products and instruments.
D&K founders Scott Dennis and Alex Kunczynski will remain with the company, working closely with the BPG leadership team and Rich Carone, who leads BPG’s Medical and Life Sciences Division.
“Scott and Alex have assembled an incredibly talented, passionate team, and we are excited to work closely with them as we continue to grow BPG’s culture of innovation and reputation for customer satisfaction,” said Carone.
Robin Duveen, Bryan Benso appointed
to lead Gafcon as co-chief executive officers
Two veteran Gafcon executives have been appointed to lead the 35-year-old San Diego based construction management company. President and Chief Operations Officer Robin Duveen and Chief Development Officer Bryan Benso have both been promoted, with the title of co-chief executive officer. Founder Yehudi ‘Gaf’ Gaffen will step down from the CEO position and assume the role of chairman of the board.
The two executives have developed a collaborative workflow, emphasizing that they are fully aligned in their strategy and philosophy of growth. Duveen focuses on internal operations and core business lines, while Benso takes charge of external relations and development.
Duveen has been with the company since 1998, working his way up from an assistant project manager position. Benso was among the first employees hired by Gafcon in the 1990s, and refers to himself as “Employee No. 12.”
San Diego State University again
named Fulbright HSI leader
For a second consecutive year, San Diego State University was named a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State, a sign of its strong engagement with the international exchange program as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). SDSU is among 43 colleges and universities on the 2022 list, announced at the annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities in San Diego, and is one of only 24 doctoral institutions named.
The Fulbright Student program provides grants for international study/research projects and for work as English teaching assistants abroad. Since 2005-06, 100 SDSU students have been awarded student Fulbright grants with the most recent cohort traveling to such destinations as eastern Armenia, South Korea and Spain. In addition, SDSU hosted a three-week program for international Fulbright scholars in July and August.
AgTech Hackathon set for Oct. 21-23 in Escondido
The City of Escondido and Fresh Brewed Tech are partnering to bring the agtech community together at the San Diego AgTech Startup Hackathon Oct. 21-23 at The Synergy CoWorking Centre, North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido. The event will bring together farmers, technologiests, community leaders, engineers and more to better understand today’s agriculture and food system problems and build solutions. The Oct. 21 session will be from 3 to 5 p.m., with the hackathon kickoff 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22 session is 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the Oct. 23 session is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ionis, Sudberry Properties to build
manufacturing campus in Oceanside
In true Innovate 78 fashion, Carlsbad-based Ionis Pharmaceuticals will build a new manufacturing campus in neighboring Oceanside. Developed by Sudberry Properties, the new 217,000-square-foot facility will support the company’s growing pipeline, new technologies, and chemistries — doubling the size of its existing manufacturing operation in North County.
MetroConnect’s Nano PharmaSolutions
secures manufacturing agreement with Mikart
MetroConnect company Nano PharmaSolutions has partnered with Mikart to bring its proprietary Nano Transformer to a clinical phase manufacturing environment. The technology will help further enhance the San Diego company’s development and clinical and commercial capabilities. NPS joined the World Trade Center San Diego on its recent trade mission to the Netherlands.
Space Micro awarded U.S. Air Force, Space Force contract
San Diego-based Space Micro has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force and Space Force to further develop higher frequency SATCOM capabilities for software defined radios — space-based, orbital platforms operating in congested radio frequencies. The technology will enhance the agility and resilience of our nation’s space communications.
San Diego Regional EDC to move
San Diego Regional EDC is moving to UC San Diego Park & Market and debuting a new brand to mark the occasion. The new address, effective Nov. 8, is 1100 Market St., Suite 438, San Diego 92101.
“Park & Market will give a major push to our efforts, and the efforts of many others who are working to create a more inclusive, diverse regional economy, and build the workforce of the future,” says Mark Cafferty, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.
CREW San Diego to hold Women in Leadership program
CREW San Diego, a membership organization dedicated to promoting, educating and supporting professionals in the field of commercial real estate, will hold its Women in Leadership podcast-style program on Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at SD Tech by Alexandrea at Park Common,s 9645 Scranton Road, San Diego 92121. Hosted by Mayor Rebecca Jones of San Marcos and featuring three other women leaders: Michele Vives, president of Douglas Wilson Companies; Lynn LaChapelle, managing irector, Capital Markets – JLL; and Penny Maus, director, City of San Diego director of real estate and airport management.
Jack in the Box launches new online ordering
Jack in the Box, one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains with more than 2,200 locations across 21 states, has launched a brand-new ordering website and native mobile app. The updated app and site were developed in partnership with Bounteous, the digital innovation partner for the world’s most ambitious brands. The online ordering and integrated mobile app features a full array of capabilities including full menu ordering, customization options, location finder, product and restaurant information, flexible delivery or pickup options and an integrated loyalty program
Task force eradicates over
$15 million worth of illegal cannabis
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s newly formed Unified Enforcement Task Force , is taking aggressive action to crack down on illegal cannabis operations – protecting communities and consumers throughout California and the U.S. from unregulated and potentially harmful cannabis products. Led by the Department of Cannabis Control’s Law Enforcement Division and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife the task force conducted an operation in a rural area of Jupiter in Tuolumne County on Oct. 4, targeting unlicensed outdoor cultivation operations. Nine search warrants were served during this multi-agency operation. Officers eradicated 11,260 illegal cannabis plants and destroyed 5,237 pounds of illegal processed cannabis flower, worth an estimated retail value of more than $15 million, according to DCC.
