Tom York on Business: Google Grants Three Local Universities $1 Million for Cybersecurity Clinic

The San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence at Cal State San Marcos, National University and San Diego State University will share a $1 million grant from the philanthropic arm of tech giant Google to establish a cybersecurity clinic.

According to a news release, the clinic, similar to free medical clinics at universities, will provide vital digital security services to under-resourced organizations.

The release said that students will gain firsthand experience protecting local businesses, hospitals and other important operations, such as energy grids, from cyber-attacks.

Google said the initiative is part of a national effort to address the growing cybersecurity workforce gap.

The report says there are nearly 500,000 jobs available in cybersecurity, with more than 5,000 available in San Diego.

Demand for professionals in the field is projected to grow 32% by 2033, according to the release. 

The funding comes from Google.org, the search engine’s philanthropic arm, which is part of a $25 million collaboration with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics.

A report from the World Economic Forum says that cyber insecurity remains one of the top 10 global risks over the next 10 years.

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Ever wonder about who’s able to work from home?

Online publication CoworkingMag has released a study that provides a general profile of the remote worker in San Diego.

The study said the typical teleworker is a Millennial with a high level of education (bachelor’s degree or above), earning $80,000 or more a year in a professional, scientific or management job.

Most — more than 50% — work in professional business services.

And a big chuck — 16.5% work in education and health services. About 11% engage in financial activities.

The West has the largest concentration of remote workers, with 17% of the total workforce while the Northeast has the second highest concentration with 16%.

Surprisingly, the South also has a sizeable number— close to 15% of the workforce — while in the Midwest, 13% of all workers are home-based.

Millennials make up about 30% of remote workers, while the division between men and women is almost balanced, with women having a slightlyhigher representation at just over 51%.

For a deeper dive into the CoworkingMag study, click here.

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CoworkingMag is a website that provides original research, insights and news about the coworking industry. It’s the sister website of CoworkingCafe.

San Diego real estate management company PE Management Group says it has acquired Orfila Vineyards & Winery.

According to a news release, PEMG says it has “a specific focus on attainable and memorable family-driven experiences” that includes Belmont Park, Lakehouse Resort and two Invita Cafés.

The release says Orfila has received more than 1,300 medals in national and international competitions.

PE Management was launched in 1980 as a construction company.

In 2000, the company evolved into real estate investments, and then in 2012 expanded to hospitality working with restaurants, hotels and destinations.

For a deeper dive, click on www.pemginc.com.

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Wine Girl, a wine bar with outlets in Scottsdale, AZ, and Napa, is opening its third location in the Gaslamp Promenade on Fifth Avenue in early 2025.

The bar features rotating wines on tap, by the bottle or glass, and local beers, spitzers, beverages, and a food menu.

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Las Americas Premium Outlets in San Ysidro and Carlsbad Premium Outlets said they are preparing for National Outlet Shopping Day,  which actually runs for two days, June 8-9.

The two outlets are among more than 90 Simon Premium Outlets that are celebrating shopping day, according to a news release.

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San Diego is apparently bucking the national trend in existing home sales.

Online residential real estate broker Redfin says that pricing levels for homes nationally have hit their lowest levels in 18 months with fewer listings and pending sales.

The site said 6.4% of home sellers cut their asking price during the four weeks ending May 26, the highest share since November 2022.

However, San Diego was moving in the opposite direction.

Pending sales here were up more than 5% year over year for the four weeks ending May 26 while new listings increased 21% for the same period.

To view the full report, including charts, click here.

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San Diego-based dental management software startup PracticeTek says i thas acquired Alpharetta, GA-based Ora Dental, another dental-focused software startup that claims to be “the industry’s pioneering all-in-one dental practice management platform.”

According to a news release, the acquisition, completed in partnership with Atlanta-based cloud-based software management company Total Dental, “aims to revolutionize dental care administration.”

Ora offers comprehensive features, including appointment scheduling, patient records management, billing, and analytics, according to PracticeTek CEO Steve Auerbach.

“This move solidifies PracticeTek’s commitment to providing cutting-edge tools for dental professionals,” the news release said. “The acquisition marks a significant step towards enhancing efficiency and patient care in dental practices.”

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Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau, the city’s tourism marketing agency released its new Sustainable Tourism Master Plan on May 30.

The document is a 10-year blueprint for tourism growth “that benefits the economy while aligning with environmental and community priorities.”

“Following a decade of planned city improvements and development, including new hotels, restaurants, experiences and infrastructure, the timing was optimal for investing in a vision for the next ten years,” said Visit Oceanside CEO Leslee Gaul. “With so many pressures from the state level, it’s more important than ever for Oceanside to have a road map that outlines projects and priorities that will not only be meaningful for visitors, but also contribute to the long-term health of the destination.”

To learn more about the STMP, visit loveoceanside.com.

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Finally, this item of note…the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce says it is now looking for organizations to participate in its Annual North County Health & Wellness Fair on Aug. 24 at the Oceanside Civic Center Plaza.

According to the chamber, the event “provides an opportunity for local health and wellness related businesses to promote products and services as well as provide screenings for participants at the fair.

The fair will run concurrently with Oceanside’s popular Downtown Farmer’s Market.

For more information contact Elizabeth Carlson at Elizabeth@OceansideChamber.com.

Tom York is a Carlsbad-based independent journalist who specializes in writing about business and the economy. If you have news tips you’d like to share, send them to tom.york@gmail.com.