ESU Business Accelerator Company Wins Top International Award

A top international award was presented this month to BackboneSecurity.com, the flagship member of East Stroudsburg University's Business Accelerator.

A top international award was presented this month to BackboneSecurity.com, the flagship member of East Stroudsburg University's Business Accelerator.

Backbone received the Company of the Year Award from the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) on Nov. 1 at the organization's convention in New Orleans. The company has developed into one of the nation's leading computer security firms.

BackboneSecurity.com was honored for its employment and sales growth and for developing Ribcage, a high–tech hardware product that encrypts computer information and authenticates users, that was used by the FBI after Sept. 11, 2001, to provide secure communications links. The award was one of five given in AURP's international awards program for excellence in research and science park development and practice. It is sponsored by the National Association for Security Dealers and its subsidiary NASDAQ Stock Market.

Backbone is one of the nation's leading network security firms dedicated to serving and training the information, computer and network security professional. The company has been ranked third in the nation by the National Security Agency (NSA) to perform security assessments worldwide. Backbone also assisted ESU in its development of the nation's first bachelor of science degree in computer security.

The company has seen a 300 percent increase in clients over the past year and expanded its staff by 83 percent this summer. Its economic impact on the region was estimated at $750,000 last year by the U.S. Department of Labor.

In East Stroudsburg, Backbone employs 12 people including a part–time intern. The firm has added employees at its Sudbury, Mass., and West Virginia locations as well.

Backbone is one of four technology start–ups in the ESU Business Accelerator on Analomink Street.

The firm's president and chief executive officer is Glenn Watt, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel with 23 years experience defending military computers against cyber attacks.

Chairman of Backbone's Board of Directors is Bart Guerreri, who is also president of DSD Labs.

Backbone was founded by Guerreri at the behest of his long–time friend, ESU President Dr. Robert J. Dillman, who envisioned a need for a company that would serve as a catalyst for the local and regional economy and serve as an anchor for the then new ESU Business Accelerator. University related business incubators also provide real–world internships for students and teaching or academic advisory opportunities for faculty. Backbone Security does both. It is one of four technology start–ups in the Accelerator, located on Analomink Street in East Stroudsburg.

"This award reinforces our conviction that this company is emerging as a world leader," President Dillman said. "Backbone's impact on the regional economy, estimated at $750,000 last year exceeds all expectations, and its connection to the university continues to pay academic dividends for our students and ESU in general."