FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

News Media Contact:

• Anne Veigle, (202) 482-4208,aveigle@ntia.gov

Cybersecurity and privacy included in 2019 problem-solving goals

WASHINGTON — Teams of innovators and municipal governments around the world who are using technology to address challenges such as disaster response, energy management and mass transit improvement will share their work at the Global City Teams Challenge/Smart and Secure Cities and Communities Expoon July 10-12, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The event is hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T).

At the expo, community representatives and their technology innovator partners will share how they are using networked computer systems and internet of things devices to solve community and quality of life issues and improve rural health, agriculture, building management, public safety, transportation and more.

The Global Cities Team Challenge (GCTC) was launched by NIST in 2014 to encourage collaboration among those building smart city/community solutions. To date, GCTC has created over 200 teams of more than 150 cities and 400 organizations working on solutions that could be deployed across multiple cities — a key component of these projects is that they are replicable and scalable. The expo will showcase technologies and service providers that offer some of these solutions.

The event will also feature an update on the new GCTC Smart Regions Collaborative, which includes the National Association of Regional Councils. The collaborative looks to elevate conversations about smart cities and communities to the regional level — promoting projects that cross jurisdictional boundaries to create efficiencies, improve sustainability and increase quality of life for all residents.

Expo Partners include the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration; the U.S. Department of State; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the Health Resources and Services Administration. The following nonprofit partners will host or lead sessions: Smart Regions Initiative, Technology Association of Oregon, Joint Venture Silicon Valley, the Telecommunications Industry Association, WeGO, FIWARE, Adaptable Security and EastWest Institute.

The event, which in 2017 attracted more than 1,500 registered attendees, is free and open to the public but requires registration. Register here .

About NIST

NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. NIST is a nonregulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. To learn more about NIST, visit www.nist.gov.

About NTIA

NTIA is the executive branch agency that advises the president on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policy making focus largely on expanding broadband internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. Learn more at www.ntia.gov.

About DHS S&T

As the research and development arm of the Department of Homeland Security, S&T’s mission is to enable effective, efficient, and secure operations across all homeland security missions by applying scientific, engineering, analytic and innovative approaches to deliver timely solutions and support departmental acquisitions. Created by Congress in 2003, S&T conducts basic and applied research, development, demonstration, testing and evaluation activities relevant to DHS.