Windy City to Welcome 2,000 New Jobs in Cybersecurity and Technology

Cybersecurity and technology firms have revealed plans to create 2,000 new jobs in Chicago, Illinois, next year.

The encouraging news was revealed yesterday when representatives of 15 different businesses joined the Chicago mayor, Lori Lightfoot, to celebrate the city's third annual Tech Day. The event was held at the headquarters of software company Relativity. 

Chicago’s first African American–owned cybersecurity firm, Evanston Technology Partners, is one of the companies looking to recruit extra staff in 2020. 

The company, which is partnered with IBM, Dell, Oracle, EMC2, Palerra, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, currently employs 40 people. Owner Emmanuel Jackson told NBC Chicago that he plans to hire 90 more members of staff over the course of next year. 

The city of Chicago has awarded Evanston Technology Partners a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) grant of $500,000 to support the training and certification of new hires. The company, which is located on 47th street in the city's Bronzeville neighborhood, plans to source at least half of its 90 new recruits from within the local community.    

Emmanuel Jackson spoke to NBC about the growing need for more cybersecurity professionals, saying, "There are 400,000 vacant cybersecurity positions right now. By 2023, 2024, that number is supposed to go up to possibly 1.8 million." 

Relativity CEO Mike Gamson chose Tech Day to announce plans to train 20 or so new recruits from traditionally under-served communities to work in the legal software field. 

"As tech leaders, it’s im ..

Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.