Innovative collaboration creates deeper pool of IT talent in Bradenton area

In today’s world, all businesses require some sort of technology to operate but not all companies can afford to have tech support and related specialists in-house. This is particularly true for smaller markets like the Manatee-Sarasota region, where most businesses have fewer than 50 employees.
That creates an opportunity for technology-services companies to fill the gap. These are the businesses that consult with other businesses in diverse industries to choose, purchase and maintain hardware and software. These “managed services” businesses may host a company’s cloud-based data, monitor networks for cyberthreats or oversee a “fleet” of mobile devices such as tablets and cell phones.
……. Cienaga Systems, a startup in the cybersecurity business based in Bradenton, is developing a partnership with New College of Florida. The project will put seven students to work helping refine the technology Cienaga uses to detect the early signs of cyber attacks. Cienaga is one of only a dozen threat-management solutions providers to have been named to the 2015 prestigious Cyber Security 500, a listing of the world’s hottest security companies.
“We were so impressed with the professors at New College who have similar backgrounds to some of the experts we already are working with to develop our technology,” said Inigo Merino, Cienaga’s founder and CEO. “We will suggest to the team what to look for and they will comb through the data to help us refine our algorithms. The professors will oversee the students’ work, which will augment our capacity and workforce, while the students gain experience with real-life cybersecurity problems.”