Cybersecurity and Risk Management Consulting Company Opens First Office in New York State at Culver Road Armory

State Investment Complements "Finger Lakes Forward" – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that cybersecurity and risk management consulting company Security Risk Advisors (SRA) has officially opened its first office in New York state in the City of Rochester at the Culver Road Armory. ESD has offered up to $900,000 through the Excelsior Jobs program to aid the successful company with its move to Rochester. Because of the support from New York State, the company committed to creating up to 67 new jobs in the region over the next five years. The company selected the Finger Lakes region citing the proximity to top colleges, students and to industry leading companies, in addition to the available quality of life.  Monroe County, the City of Rochester and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting with the project.

ESD Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, "By choosing Rochester as the site of its first New York State office, Security Risk Advisors has recognized the Finger Lakes region as a growing high-tech hub for the cybersecurity industry, with a highly skilled talent pool that is drawing cutting-edge companies here to create 21st century jobs."

Founded in 2010, Security Risk Advisors, headquartered in Philadelphia, began by using a virtual office model. In 2017, their strategy to grow by mentoring a larger number of University hires led to the decision to open their headquarters in Philadelphia.  Security Risk Advisors decided to open its first New York State location in the City of Rochester due to the large, local talent pool available via the Finger Lakes regions’ 19 renowned colleges and universities.

Security Risk Advisors Managing Director Tim Wainwright said, "At Security Risk Advisors, we pride ourselves on growing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, contributing to industry-wide thought leadership and providing forward thinking advice to our clients.  Establishing an office in Rochester allows us to build on those goals. The technology talent produced in Western New York makes it easy to hire and keep local talent in the region. We are committed to training these young teammates into industry leaders and world class consultants. The help of the State of New York, Empire State Development, Greater Rochester Enterprise, Monroe County and the City of Rochester in opening our Rochester office, has made us feel right at home and we look forward to investing in the Finger Lakes region as these organizations have invested in us."

Security Risk Advisors provides cybersecurity expertise to its clients with a focus on the Fortune and Global 1000. Their services include ethical hacking, risk assessments, compliance, engineering, and managed detection and response. The forward-thinking company contributes to industry thought leadership by developing free software, mentoring students and sponsoring cyber competitions and women-in-cyber conferences.

Senator Rich Funke said, "In a world that is increasingly dependent on technology, the ability of a business to be able to secure people’s personal information is vital. Rochester is fast becoming a destination for the cybersecurity sector and this commitment by Security Risk Advisors is just the latest example. As we look for more ways to keep young people from leaving our area and grow, our communities’ good paying jobs in growing sectors like this are essential. I welcome Security Risk Advisors to the Finger Lakes and I look forward to helping them grow and prosper."

Assembly Member Harry Bronson said, "I applaud Managing Director Tim Wainwright and the team Security Risk Advisors’ for their commitment to our region. Today’s announcement by the company and Empire State Development Acting Commissioner Eric Gertler shows that the Rochester area has a strong, diverse, and skilled workforce and is in an economic position to create jobs for the future. I look forward to Security Risk Advisors’ growth of new jobs at their expanded Rochester campus."

Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren said, "I am happy to welcome Security Risk Advisors to our city and thank them for making this investment, which brings jobs to Rochester and supports the growth of our region’s knowledge economy. I am grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for retaining and growing jobs in Rochester through Finger Lakes Forward. Together we are moving forward to create more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens."

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "Monroe County is proud to support the expansion of Security Risk Advisors into our community. With an incredibly talented and qualified local workforce, a vibrant tech business community, and an attitude to create more jobs and keep our momentum going, I am confident Security Risk Advisors will feel right at home here."

Matt Hurlbutt, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise, said, "Talent was the number one asset that prompted SRA to expand in Rochester, NY. As SRA leaders build out their cybersecurity and software development team, close proximity to Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Rochester’s well-trained graduates will serve as a competitive advantage."

For more Information about Security Risk Advisors, click here.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward 

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here. ​

Contact:

Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055

ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313