“What do we have today that is not vulnerable to cyber intrusion?” asked Dr. Michael Griffin, who serves as undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, during a talk hosted by The Patuxent Partnership on July 13. “Some of the most critical weapons of the future fight might be those that just turn your computer into a brick.”

Mark your calendar for a one-day Cyber Summit on September 18, where we will converge with speakers, exhibitors, and attendees from government, industry, and academia on cyber challenges and opportunities for national security. Learn more >>

This week at a glance

Upcoming TPP programs:

  • Rapid Acquisition, August 7
  • Shoot for the Stars: A Cosmic Event for Young Professionals, August 11
  • Save the date: Airport & Tech Hub Updates, August 22
  • Dr. Dan Crippen and Vice Adm. Joe Dyer, Sept. 6

In our community:

  • TechPort LunchBox Talk: Protecting Your Invention in the Early Stages, July 20
  • Project Opportunity – Entrepreneur Training for Vets
  • Southern Maryland Innovation and Tech
  • DSI Upcoming Programs
  • The To-Do List: HOPE Pantry

Upcoming Programs

Rapid Acquisition

Tuesday, August 7
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center

Join Mr. Tim Morris, the former U.S. Air Force director of F-35 development, to learn and discuss everything you need to know about rapid acquisition: why the big push, recent NDAA authorities and what they mean, and current DoD and Navy Section 804 implementation guidance.

Register >>

Shoot for the Stars: A Cosmic Event for Young Professionals

Saturday, August 11
7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Historic Sotterley Plantation

Experience the history of Sotterley set against the mystery of the cosmos! Join us Saturday, August 11 to meet and catch up with other Southern Maryland young professionals during peak viewing of the annual Perseid meteor shower.

Learn more and register >>

Dr. Dan Crippen and Vice Adm. Joe Dyer (USN, ret.)

Thursday, September 6
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland

In partnership with the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Dr. Dan Crippen, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, will talk about the federal budget and the implications of long-term deficits on the Navy and beyond. This will be followed by a one-on-one conversation with retired Vice Adm. Joe Dyer and Dr. Dan Crippen, with questions from the audience.

Register >>

Save the Date: 

St. Mary’s Country Airport & Tech Hub updates
August 22

Are you a leader in cyber security? Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are open for our full-day cyber conference on September 18. Learn more >>

Community Events & Opportunities

TechPort LunchBox Talk: Protecting Your Invention in the Early Stages

July 20, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
TechPort

Sharing your novel idea can bring about collaboration and even funding. Yet sharing comes with risk. So with whom do you share, under what circumstances, and how much should you share with each potential partner? And under what protections? Registered patent attorney, Mark Henderson, provides actionable steps and guidance at the next TechPort LunchBox Talk!

Learn more >>

Project Opportunity – Entrepreneur Training for Vets

Orientation Session: August 27
Charles County Government Building, LaPlata

Project Opportunity is a free entrepreneur training program for veterans who want to start or to continue to grow their business. This 10-week program is facilitated by business professionals and subject matter experts and will cover topics such as assessing your business ideas, marketing analysis, financing and financial management, business structure and taxes, and development of a business plan. The program is set to start September 10 and will have weekly classes. For more information, please register at www.project-opportunity.com for an orientation session August 27 at Charles County Government Building in the Blue Room.

Southern Maryland Innovation and Tech

Southern Maryland Innovation and Tech (SMIT) brings together entrepreneurs, inventors, developers, researchers, mentors, investors to ignite and fuel tech entrepreneurship. SMIT meets in Southern Maryland, Maryland’s fastest growing tech hub, where technologists are 3.5 times more concentrated than in the rest of the nation. This is your place to interact with innovators, showcase promising ventures, learn how to accelerate market success, and be part of an inclusive and collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Check out an upcoming meetup >>

Defense Strategies Institute Upcoming Programs

Sept. 12-13: Military Tactical Communications
Sept. 18-19: GEOINT and Open Source Analysis
Sept. 19-20: Autonomous Capabilities for DoD
Sept. 25-26: Cyber Operations for National Defense

*Military and government employees attend free.

Learn more >>

The To-Do List

Give what you can: With summertime upon us, many of our community children are not able to receive the free meals from their schools; thus the demand on the HOPE Food Pantry has risen and food is running low. HOPE is in need of the following non-perishable items:

  • cereal
  • pasta
  • peanut butter
  • jelly
  • soup
  • tuna
  • juice
  • granola bars
  • crackers

Drop-off location: Church of the Ascension (21641 Great Mills Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653); Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Patti Brady, (240) 298-0488 or pbrady@pab-i.com