Protect your computer from cyber threats and learn how to be safe online | Securing Our eCity®
Vision
To create a safe digital neighborhood that is both resistant to cyber-threats and resilient to man-made or natural disasters, where our citizens, businesses, organizations and government can effectively and securely navigate, collaborate and conduct business to remain economically competitive in today’s fast-changing technological environment. The secure cyber city model we establish in San Diego will empower our citizens and serve as a beacon for cities across North America and the world.
Mission
To enable every San Diegan to live, work and play safely in the cyber world.
In the fast-paced world we live in where “digital” exchanges dominate our daily interactions, the Securing Our eCity Foundation (SOeC) provides awareness of potential issues and offers free cybersecurity information and education. We assist businesses, families, our aging population and youths to be better prepared for a safer cyber experience in rapidly changing technology driven environments.
In late 2011, ESET Foundation, Inc. (dba) Securing Our eCity Foundation was formed based upon an initiative started in mid-2008 by ESET North America, an Internet security company with their North American headquarters in San Diego, CA.The Foundation is now a viable non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization still guided by the vision, mission and principles established at the onset of the initiative.
Supported through generous donations from organizations like ESET North America and San Diego Gas & Electric, SOeC continues to help facilitate a safer cyber experience for digital citizens in the greater San Diego area.
Jessie J. Knight Jr.Chairman of the Board
Jessie J. Knight is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Gas & Electric. Prior to assuming this role in April 2010, Knight served as Executive Vice President of External Affairs for Sempra Energy, overseeing all communications and community relations activities, government relations and regulatory and international affairs.
Before joining Sempra in 2006, Mr. Knight spent seven years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the largest business organization in California and the third largest chamber of commerce in the western United States.
From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Knight served as commissioner for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), after being appointed by then-Governor Pete Wilson. He previously served in executive management roles for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner newspapers and the Dole Food Company. Mr. Knight is a board member of the Seattle-based Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) and the San Diego Padres Baseball Club, and serves as a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University, was a fellow of the University of Madrid, and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin.
Anton ZajacPresident
Dr. Anton Zajac studied as a mathematical physicist at Comenius University in former Czechoslovakia. After graduation, he earned his doctorate in Natural Sciences in the field of Quantum Theory.
For over ten years, Dr. Zajac worked in the field of theoretical physics. He published the Unified Theory of Low and High Temperature Superconductivity. In the year 2000, Dr. Zajac received the Werner von Siemens Scientific Achievement Award. Fluent in five languages, Dr. Zajac lectures at several universities around the world, including UCSD, USD, and The Center for Graduate Studies of the Institute of Technology in Tijuana, and Iberoamerican University in Mexico.
Dr. Zajac founded two high tech companies; among them ESET, LLC in 1999 in San Diego. Dr. Anton Zajac is the President of ESET NA. Under his dynamic leadership, Dr. Zajac was honored as one of San Diego’s Most Admired CEO’s by the San Diego Business Journal. The company became the “fastest growing” in San Diego County in 2007 and has received a multitude of awards such as the Outstanding Emerging Business Award by the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Deloitte’s Technology Rankings, as well as attended numerous Inc. 500 Ceremonies.
Dr. Zajac’s vision and perseverance set the foundation for ESET global worldwide presence. Under his direction, ESET earned the San Diego “Best Software Company” title at the AeA High Tech Awards and its products are currently sold in more than 180 countries comprising over 100 million users. His thought leadership and ability to connect people and resources has perpetuated global representation and an extensive partner network.
Randy FrischTreasurer
Randy Frisch is the Vice Chancellor, Business and Administration at National University System and National University, the second largest private, non-profit university in California. The position blends CFO and internal general counsel work for the 28-campus, seven-affiliate organization. National University has the first education program offered in Cyber education in the country.
Prior to joining National, Frisch was president and publisher of the San Diego Business Journal for two and half years. Before joining the Business Journal, Frisch was an attorney practicing in contract and employment law. He is a member of the California, Nevada, and Idaho bars. Prior to establishing his law practice, Frisch was CFO of the San Diego Union-Tribune, and vice president of operations and Business Development.
He is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he earned several honors, holds an MBA from Washington State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Lewis-Clark State College. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego/Imperial Counties American Red Cross, LEAD San Diego, Bridgepoint Holiday Bowl Committee, Downtown Rotary, and the San Diego Neighborhood House. He is on the Finance and Public Policy committees of the Greater San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Downtown Rotary Club 33.
Pamela RichardsonSecretary
Pamela Richardson is the ESET Foundation Administrator and holds the office of Secretary. Prior to joining the Securing Our eCity initiative in early 2011, now the ESET Foundation signature program, she provided support for ESET Research and Cyber Threat Analysis Center at ESET North America since 2008. Pamela is an active member in the SOeC Education Workgroup and Speakers’ Bureau.
Pamela has a range of experience from project management to accounting, and she is a valued team member. During her Bachelors of Business program at ITT Technical Institute she started the Delta Epsilon Chi Honor Society, San Diego ITT Chapter and held the position of President and Secretary for the honor society.
Alexandra AlbroBoard of Directors
Fluent in three languages, Alexandra Albro’s experience includes work and/or studies in several countries including UAE, France, Canada and Italy. As a current San Diego resident, Alexandra has applied her cross-cultural competencies for ESET’s business and legal activities. For the last two years, she has skillfully provided thoughtful and meticulous direction as ESET’s Legal support for the Office of the CEO and company- wide developments.
Alexandra Albro received her MA in Law from the University of Trnava, SVK. Since receiving her degree, she has worked for Dedak & Partners (SVK), and interned with Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves and Savitch LLP in San Diego, CA. Alexandra is currently working toward her LLM degree in Law from the University of San Diego.
Darin AndersenBoard of Directors
Darin Andersen is the President & CEO of CyberUnited, a cybersecurity company that applies science and informatics to interesting problems in cyber. Prior to this, Darin was General Manager, North America for Norman Data Defense Systems, a world leader and pioneer in proactive content security solutions and forensics malware tools. Prior to joining Norman, he served as the Chief Operating Officer at ESET North America.
While at ESET, Mr. Andersen created the vision for “Securing Our eCity,” which was brought to light by a team of industry leaders and later recognized by the Department of Homeland Security in 2010 as the nation’s “Best Local/Community Plan” for cyber security preparedness and education.
Mr. Andersen holds two Masters Degrees from the USC Marshall School of Business: a MBA in Finance and Operations Management, and an MS in Information Technology and Operations Management. He was named “Top Influential” 2010 by San Diego Daily Transcript, and was honored with an Exemplary Performance Award by the San Diego Business Journal for the Securing Our eCity program at ESET in 2011.
Mitchell DembinBoard of Directors
Mitch Dembin was sworn in as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of California on March 18, 2011. Prior to his appointment, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in San Diego and served as the Cybercrime Coordinator for the office. Before that, he was the Chief Security Advisor for Microsoft Corporation, assisting Microsoft’s business customers in creating and implementing strategic security plans.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Mitch was the president of EvidentData, Inc., a firm specializing in computer forensics, digital evidence and computer security. Mitch served three different terms as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, spanning more than 15 years in San Diego and in Boston, and including 6 years as a supervisor. As a federal prosecutor, Mitch has specialized in prosecuting a variety of white collar crimes and, beginning in 1991, in investigating and prosecuting high technology crimes. Before his first term as an AUSA, Mitch was a staff attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC.
Mitch is credited with having founded the San Diego Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, a national prototype, which provides assistance to the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies serving San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Mitch was raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a New York City Police Officer, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Western New England Law School, where he also served as Managing Editor of the Law Review.
Liz FraumannBoard of Directors
Liz Fraumann is the Executive Director of the Securing Our eCity Foundation which whose mission is to help create a cyber-safe environment in San Diego where we can all live, work and play. The foundation is focused on cybersecurity awareness, education and preparation for business and individuals alike.
Prior to this role, Ms. Fraumann was the Director of Marketing at ESET, North America where she helped the organization more than double its market awareness in North America. Ms. Fraumann is a seasoned veteran of the high-tech industry, with a broad background in marketing and marketing communications and spans years of experience with industry giants such as NCR and IBM, as well as smaller and starts up organizations.
Fraumann has received numerous company and community awards for her expertise and efforts. She is active member in San Diego CERT.
Doug HolmanBoard of Directors
Doug Holman has served as Vice President of Membership & Corporate Relations for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce since 2001. His shared duties include running the chamber’s sales division, managing vendor relations, administration and development of value-added member benefits, as well as the overall branding of the Chamber.
Mr. Holman currently sits on the Board of Directors for both the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, and the Greensox Baseball Club. He formerly served on the boards of the Downtown (San Diego) YMCA and the San Diego Community Council for Child Development, and he is heavily involved as a volunteer with Eastlake Little League. Doug earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1989 from San Diego State University.
Michael KaiserBoard of Directors
Since becoming Executive Director of the National Cyber Security Alliance in 2008, Michael Kaiser has assumed responsibility for in NCSA’s broad public education and outreach efforts to strengthen the nation’s cyber infrastructure, including leadership of NCSA’s premier outreach and awareness campaign, National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
Prior to joining NCSA, Mr. Kaiser spent 25 years in the field of victim’s services and rights at National Center for Victims of Crime in Washington, DC, and at Safe Horizon in New York City, where he held a variety of senior staff positions.
Mr. Kaiser has developed training and other programs on the use of technology to combat crimes such as stalking and identity theft, and worked on programs exploring the use of technology to improve community policing. He has also been involved in developing new programs and expanding the capacities of communities to respond to victims of crime, as well as numerous public education and awareness efforts encouraging victims to seek help, while educating the public about the incidence and impact of victimization. He is currently the Chair and a founding Board Member of the national non-profit organization, SPINUSA.
Andrew LeeBoard of Directors
Andrew Lee brings to ESET a unique blend of corporate and security expertise. Having served as Chief Research Officer at ESET from 2004 to 2008, Lee was responsible for building ESET’s reputation as a world-class research organization. Prior to accepting the role of CEO at ESET in January of 2011, Lee served as Chief Technology Officer for K7 Computing, an antivirus software and Internet security company, where he was responsible for all aspects of K7′s technology, leading acquisitions and bringing new products to the market.
Mr. Lee is a founding member of several of the most respected organizations, such as AVIEN and AMTSO, international non-profit associations that focus on addressing the global need for improvement in the objectivity, quality and relevance of anti-malware testing methodologies. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, ISC2 Seminars, AVAR, Virus Bulletin and EICAR, Mr. Lee is a widely published author of articles on antivirus and security and co-authored the “AVIEN Malware Defense Guide” with current ESET researcher David Harley. Andrew Lee holds an MSc degree in Computer Security from the University of Liverpool.
Chris BakerBoard of Directors
Chris Baker is senior vice president of support services and chief information officer for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), Sempra Energy’s regulated California utilities.
In his current position, Baker oversees information technology, supply management, diverse business enterprises, environmental services, safety and emergency services, fleet services, real estate, land management and facilities at SDG&E and SoCalGas.
He is also responsible for the design and implementation of new systems and procedures to improve the operating efficiency and customer experience at both utilities through the operational excellence and smart metering programs.
Baker served as Sempra Energy’s director of software development from 1997 to 2000, and as information management and security administration manager from 1995 to 1997.
Prior to joining Sempra Energy in 1995, Baker was a senior systems consultant with Logicon 4GT, where he worked with defense finance and accounting services. He also worked on analysis for several government entities, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Finance and Management and the U.S. Postal Service’s National Air and Surface System.
Previously, Baker held several positions in the banking industry, including serving as section manager of information management and executive information services at HomeFed Bank, a position he held from 1990 to 1993. Prior to 1990, he was employed with Home Savings of America, holding several different positions in their information technology division.
Baker serves as a board member on CommNexus. He is a cum laude graduate of California Polytechnic University at Pomona, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and business administration / computer information systems.
Rita PertzbomBoard of Directors
Rita Pertzborn is a producer-partner for Mintcinema, a San Diego based digital motion picture company. Prior to Mintcinema, Rita served as Chief of Staff for ESET, NA. Rita was a major contributor and key member of ESET’s Executive Team, responsible for delivering essential company communications and administrative management for the Office of the CEO and President. She assisted the organization through a multitude of company change initiatives, as well as provided executive oversight of policies and procedures during ESET’s accelerated growth. Rita’s people-focused and professional experience as an educational specialist and adjunct professor prepared her in creating successful business practices regarding ESET’s human capital and the evolution of the corporate culture as a whole. Rita holds a Master of Arts in Education from SDSU.
Chad NelleyBoard of Directors
As Vice President of Operations for ESET North America, Chad Nelley has been involved in the Securing our eCity effort since its inception, working diligently behind the scenes with ESET’s Learning and Development group, other ESET executives and staff in an effort to develop the foundational curriculum upon which the current outreach program is built. In his time to date with SOeC, Mr. Nelley has also contributed to many of the subcommittees that make up the SOeC framework today. At ESET North America, Chad has general oversight of Operations to include: Organizational Development, Learning and Development, Knowledge Base Operations, Real Estate and Facilities, Manufacturing, Logistics and Inventory, Legal, Community Relations and Philanthropy as well as Corporate Project Management (PMO).
Prior to joining ESET in 2007, Mr. Nelley held the post of Vice President of Operations and IT at Total Training, Inc., a content development firm developing multi-media education products for consumers, pro-sumers and blue chip software partners such as Adobe, Apple and Microsoft along with other software OEM’s. While there Mr. Nelley was instrumental in developing, managing and supporting double and triple digit revenue growth over 7 consecutive years, implementing Operational and IT/IS infrastructure systems and building an ERP, CRM, estore and cart solution that drove 60+% of revenues for the company. Mr. Nelley started his high technology career with Silicon Graphics Inc., as a Field Marketing Manager for the Southern California region covering San Diego, Imperial and portions of South Orange County. He has also taken on various entrepreneurial endeavors including starting a consultancy practice specializing in Organizational Development, IT/IS Systems and Project Management services.
Mr. Nelley was born and raised in San Diego and maintains a strong interest in the San Diego Community and the region’s economic vitality having served on various technology committees and participating in programs like SOeC. Chad holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Telecommunications from California State University, Fresno and is a graduate of UCLA Anderson’s School of Management Executive Program.
Howard SchmidtBoard of Directors
Howard Schmidt serves as a partner in the strategic advisory firm, Ridge Schmidt Cyber, an executive services firm that helps leaders in business and government navigate the increasing demands of cybersecurity. He serves in this position with Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He also serves as executive director of The Software Assurance Forum for Excellence in Code (SAFECode).
Howard A. Schmidt brings together talents in business, defense, intelligence, law enforcement, privacy, academia and international relations, gained from a distinguished career spanning 40 years.He served as Special Assistant to the President and the Cybersecurity Coordinator for the federal government. In this role Mr. Schmidt was responsible for coordinating interagency cybersecurity policy development and implementation and for coordinating engagement with federal, state, local, international, and private sector cybersecurity partners.
Previously, Mr. Schmidt was the President and CEO of the Information Security Forum (ISF). Before ISF, he served as Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Security Strategist for eBay Inc., and formerly operated as the Chief Security Officer for Microsoft Corp. He also served as Chief Security Strategist for the US-CERT Partners Program for the Department of Homeland Security.
Mr. Schmidt holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (BSBA) and a master’s degree in organizational management (MAOM) from the University of Phoenix. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate degree in Humane Letters. Howard was an Adjunct Professor at GA Tech, GTISC, Professor of Research at Idaho State University and Adjunct Distinguished Fellow with Carnegie Mellon’s CyLab and a Distinguished Fellow of the Ponemon Privacy Institute.
Howard is a Ham Radio operator (W7HAS), a private pilot, outdoorsman and an avid Harley-Davidson rider. He is married to Raemarie J. Schmidt, a forensic scientist and researcher and instructor in the field of computer forensics. Together, they are proud parents, and happy grandparents.