ROME, NY – Twenty years ago this month, Assured Information Security (AIS) was officially incorporated. Charles Green, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and a few others conceptualized and began this venture and spent most of their days working around a pool table until they made enough profit to order office furniture. Since 2001, the company has continued to push the boundaries of innovation and pave a path to success in the cyber and information security space. AIS has remained a leading provider of cyber solutions and novel technologies for the U.S. government, intelligence community, commerce and beyond.
“Starting AIS was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken and though I was confident we could create something great, I never could have imagined that we’d become an industry leader and have sustained success for decades to come,” said Green, CEO of AIS. “Celebrating our 20th anniversary is a huge milestone and it’s a true privilege to see our employees redefine what’s possible every day.”
Company Stats
As of 2021, AIS has a national footprint with 10 office locations across the country and an additional five customer locations. Since inception, the company has completed 337 contracts and is currently fulfilling 45. At the core of it all, however, is a renowned team of 300 employees who are truly to thank for the company’s success.
“Throughout my more than 40 years of experience working in defense and intelligence, I’ve come to know many organizations and AIS is unlike the rest,” said Margie Forbes, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. “Employees can be themselves and trust that leadership has their best interests in mind. This is evident through our education assistance program, the diversity of our assignments and our commitment to social justice. Women and minorities can thrive at AIS and I’m passionate about continuing to foster a culture of inclusivity and opportunity.”
AIS Capabilities
The AIS team and capabilities are unmatched with specialization in research, development, consulting, testing, cyber-forensics, remediation and training. Through work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and strong collaborative ties with other defense contractors and more than a dozen highly regarded universities, AIS has gained relationships with a wide customer base and contributes significantly to both national cyber requirements and commerce. From testing drones and searching for vulnerabilities in software to building tools for cyber warfighters, the company leads groundbreaking efforts in all areas of cyber and information security.
Patents
To stay ahead of the next cyber threat, AIS is always creating new innovations and patenting new products. Over the past 20 years, AIS has been awarded 17 patents and currently has 11 filed.
Awards
AIS has been named a Central New York Best Place to Work for the past three consecutive years. In 2019, it was selected as a Gem of Distinction by Gems Along the Mohawk and the Genesis Group, an award that recognizes businesses in the Mohawk Valley that shape the future of the region. Also in 2019, it was announced that AIS’s CEO Charles Green was named a semifinalist for Ernst and Young’s (EY) Entrepreneur Of the Year® New York Award. In 2018, AIS ranked #101 on Cybersecurity Ventures top 500 list of the world’s hottest and most innovative cybersecurity companies and won a Leading EDGE award, which recognizes companies and individuals responsible for the economic growth of the Mohawk Valley.
Growing an Ecosystem
The AIS ecosystem is a collection of separate entities operating under the AIS umbrella. Entities within the ecosystem embody the AIS core values and provide valuable insights that further the AIS mission and research and development (R&D) efforts. In 2016, AIS became majority owner of GreyCastle Security, an industry-leading provider of risk assessment, mitigation and certification-readiness services headquartered in Troy, New York. In 2021, AIS supported the founding of AssuredTek, a growing company that provides seamless support and defends business systems, networks and assets using an array of revolutionary technology and professional services.
“By creating an ecosystem of self-sustaining companies under the AIS umbrella, we’re able to serve multiple markets and identify strategic partnerships while continually shaping the cyber landscape,” said Kalil, CCO at AIS and CEO of GreyCastle Security. “The goal is to transfer technology and knowledge, identify teaming opportunities, funnel leads and effectively share resources, ultimately creating opportunities for the ecosystem as a whole and for each company individually to achieve success.”
Community Impact
Supporting organizations and events that align with the values of the company is a priority to help shape the environment in which employees live and do business. Each year, AIS sponsors a multitude of diverse initiatives which include the United Way, Toys for Tots, food drives, hackathons, Project Fibonacci, STEAM activities, student athletics, veteran events and much more.
Over the past 20 years, AIS has sponsored or donated to more than 255 non-profits and events. Many employees also teach at local colleges and volunteer at STEAM events to stay involved with the education of the students in our communities.
“Social responsibility is part of the company’s fabric and AIS is proud to be involved and committed to the growth and improvement of the areas in which employees live and work,” said Erin Bushinger, Director of Corporate Communications.
The Future of AIS
As the next chapter of the AIS story begins to unfold, there will be an emphasis on diversification, both in the way employees work and in what the company offers to its customers. With the mission and values top of mind, AIS will be fully transitioning its delivery model, making new advancements in R&D and building its ecosystem.
“To all our employees, customers, stakeholders, families and friends – thank you for your continued commitment to AIS,” said Green. “I look forward to more adventures and most importantly, continued progress toward our mission.”
To learn more about the 20th anniversary of AIS and watch interviews with its founders and influential employees, visit https://www.ainfosec.com/20th/.
