[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58746-58749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23210]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Cyber Security Business Development Mission to Poland and 
Romania; May 11-15, 2015

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing an Executive-led Cyber Security 
Business Development Mission to Poland and Romania from May 11-15, 
2015.
    The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. firms and trade 
associations to Eastern and Central Europe's information and 
communication technology (ICT) security and critical infrastructure 
protection markets and to assist U.S. companies to find business 
partners and export their products and services to the region. The 
mission is intended to

[[Page 58747]]

include representatives from U.S. companies and U.S. trade associations 
with members that provide cyber security, critical infrastructure 
protection, and emergency management technology equipment and services. 
The mission will visit Poland and Romania, where U.S. firms will have 
access to business development opportunities across the Eastern and 
Central European region. Participating firms will gain market insights, 
make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance 
specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of products 
and services to Eastern and Central Europe. The mission will include 
customized one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential 
buyers, agents, distributors and joint venture partners; meetings with 
state and local government officials and industry leaders; and 
networking events.
    The mission also will include a significant regional component to 
expand the reach of the companies to at least 10 other potential 
markets (Bulgaria, Moldova, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, 
Bosnia, Montenegro, and Slovenia) in Central and Eastern Europe. 
Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) offices in Europe work together to 
meet the needs of U.S. companies and will recruit government officials, 
potential buyers and suppliers from surrounding countries to come to 
Bucharest and possibly Poland, to meet with companies to discuss 
opportunities in their markets. There will be a dedicated day where 
companies will receive presentations on opportunities in these markets 
in the region by either FCS staff or country experts and then meet with 
companies one-on-one. The mission will also organize optional virtual 
introductions with companies or government officials not able to come 
to one of the two trade mission stops. This innovative approach will 
provide companies more value by bringing opportunities to the companies 
without having to travel to each market.

Commercial Setting

    Cyber security ensures realization and controlling of vital 
security properties of an organization's, as well as users' 
intellectual, financial, and infrastructure assets against relevant 
security risks in the cyber environment. In addition, critical physical 
infrastructure systems (i.e., safety, security, electrical, water, 
energy, and traffic management systems) essentially interact with, and 
cannot be separated from, the critical information infrastructure. With 
the ascending growth and sophistication of cyber-attacks in recent 
years, strict compliance and unified security packages are in demand to 
protect the critical data, infrastructure, and safety of governments, 
military, public utilities, banking, financial services, ports, 
hospitals, and other businesses. The damaging effects of cyber-threats 
can be felt on many levels from the business to the individual and can 
spill over across borders. Therefore, nations in Eastern and Central 
Europe are currently dedicating increasing resources at the executive 
policy level, as well as at the private sector level, in order to deal 
with these complex cyber threats. These resources have been well 
utilized as is evident from the innovations and demand for cyber 
defense equipment and service technologies.
    Recent events in the region have also heightened the importance of 
improving cyber security protection. Governments have made cyber 
security a policy priority, creating task forces and engaging with the 
United States government (USG) to improve their defenses. The trade 
mission will not only focus on the countries visited, but will also use 
ITA's Commercial Service network to include opportunities for 
matchmaking with companies and governments from across the region in 
the program.

Poland

    In June 2013, the Polish government adopted a Cyberspace Protection 
Policy for the country. The Ministry of Administration and Digitization 
is responsible for Polish ICT policy, including the implementation of 
an information society agenda, and is also in charge of all public ICT 
projects. The prevailing trends for digitalization and mobility further 
expose ICT users to a range of security threats. As a result, there are 
good opportunities for suppliers of all ICT security related solutions 
designed for customers ranging from private users, small businesses, 
through large sophisticated corporate networks and top level critical 
public infrastructure projects.
    The demand for IT security products and services has been growing 
dynamically and continuously over the last few years. In addition, 
highly publicized news reports of attacks have led to a rapidly growing 
awareness of cyber security threats. In 2013, IT security products and 
services grew twice as fast as the market for IT products and services 
in general. At the end of 2013, the Polish market for IT cyber security 
products reached USD 156 million. Security software represented 59% of 
the market, while 41% fell on IT security appliances. The market for IT 
security products is expected to grow at over 10% a year over the next 
five-years.
    There are good prospects for all kinds of security software and 
security appliances. Security audits and outsourcing of managed 
security services represent the highest potential for IT security 
services. There are business opportunities in all market segments, but 
most investments in this area are done in the telecommunications, 
financial and banking, as well as the public sectors. This applies 
mostly to large projects sponsored by large companies or organizations.

Romania

    The Romanian market consists of three key segments: Small to 
medium-sized enterprises (SME), corporations, and the Romanian 
government, including civil, security, military, and critical national 
infrastructure (e.g., utilities and telecoms). Romania, with an 
increasingly high interdependence of cyber infrastructure and sectors 
such as banking, transportation, energy and national defense, is facing 
cyber threats to critical infrastructure. The threats to these parties 
can be combated using hardware, software, services, or a combination of 
the three. Software solutions are a major portion of the market, with 
anti-virus and other security software programs being deployed in 
businesses of all types and sizes. The security services sector is 
expected to outpace that of the software market. Within the security 
hardware sector, companies are demanding more Unified Threat Management 
(UTM) appliances as they adopt increasingly integrated security 
solutions on a tighter budget. As companies face more and more security 
breaches, they are taking more proactive measures to ensure information 
technology (IT) security and their assets. While opportunities exist to 
supply organizations of all sizes, from SMEs to large corporations, the 
most substantial opportunities are to be found in organizations for 
which IT security is mission critical, e.g., major financial 
institutions, utilities and especially government departments 
(including Government headquarters, Ministry of Defense, Immigration 
and Border Protection, Revenue and Customs, etc.). Major Cyber security 
projects in development in Romania include the creation of a Cyber 
security Innovation Center, with assistance from the U.S. Trade and 
Development Agency, and a Regional Cybercrime Training Center for the 
Romanian Police.
    Romania's demand for cybersecurity technology is included in its 
recently legislated Cybersecurity Strategy and

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the National Action Plan on implementation of National Cybersecurity 
System. By the end of 2014, Romania plans to adopt a cybersecurity law, 
currently under public consultation. The draft law covers both Network 
and Information Security (NIS) and cyber threats from a national 
security perspective and was approved by the Supreme Council for 
National Defense at the end of 2013. The Romanian National Computer 
Emergency Response Team (CERT-RO), which aligns directly with European 
Union (EU) critical infrastructure protection mandates, was established 
in 2011. CERT-RO is the incident response body responsible for 
``preventing, analyzing, identifying and reacting to cybernetics 
incidents'' and for developing public policies to prevent and 
counteract cyber-attacks.
    The National Cybersecurity System will represent a cooperation 
platform for CERT schemes and will act to consolidate the expertise for 
cyber security risk management, stimulating cooperation at different 
layers (military-civil, public-private, government-nongovernment). The 
Romanian legal/institutional framework could later be affected by the 
developments of the Regulatory Framework at the European level.
    The prospect for highly specialized cybersecurity engineering 
services and products presents multiple opportunities for U.S. exports. 
The cybersecurity systems already in place in Romania are based on U.S. 
technologies and the cyber security training to date originate from the 
United States. There is still a great need to build capabilities to 
detect and manage cyber security incidents, the cyber security risk 
management process, including consulting and technical support at the 
strategic management level. Once cyber security audits became 
mandatory, there will also be a need for training, tools, technology, 
consulting services, etc.

Other Products and Services

    The foregoing analysis of the cyber security opportunities in 
Poland and Romania is not intended to be exhaustive, but illustrative 
of the many opportunities available to U.S. businesses. Applications 
from companies selling products or services within the scope of this 
mission, but not specifically identified, will be considered and 
evaluated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Companies whose products 
or services do not fit the scope of the mission may contact their local 
U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) to learn about other business 
development missions and services that may provide more targeted export 
opportunities. Companies may call 1-800-872-8723, or go to http://help.export.gov/ to obtain such information. This information also may 
be found on the Web site: http://www.export.gov.

Mission Goals

    The purpose of this trade mission is to introduce U.S. firms to the 
rapidly expanding market for cyber security products and services in 
Eastern and Central Europe. The mission will help participating firms 
and trade associations to gain market insights, make industry contacts, 
solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the 
goal of increasing U.S. exports to Poland, Romania and the Eastern and 
Central Europe region. By participating in an official U.S. industry 
delegation, rather than traveling to Poland, Romania, and the rest of 
the Eastern and Central Europe region on their own, U.S. companies will 
enhance their ability to secure meetings in those countries and gain 
greater exposure to the region.

Mission Scenario

    The business development mission will include one-on-one business 
appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors 
and joint venture partners; meetings with national and regional 
government officials, chambers of commerce, and business groups; and 
networking receptions for companies and trade associations representing 
companies interested in expansion into the Eastern and Central European 
markets. Meetings will be offered with government authorities that can 
address questions about policies, tariff rates, incentives, 
regulations, projects, etc.

                           Proposed Timetable
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Sunday May 10.....................   Trade Mission Participants
                                     Arrive in Bucharest.
                                     Visit the city.
                                     Mission Welcome, Week in
                                     Preview at Hotel.
Monday May 11.....................   Welcome and Country
                                     Briefing (Romania).
                                     PM and President's Office
                                     Meetings (Cyber Security
                                     Operational Committee).
                                     Networking Lunch.
                                     One-on-One business
                                     matchmaking appointments.
                                     Networking Reception at
                                     Ambassador's residence (TBC).
Tuesday May 12....................   One-on-One business
                                     matchmaking appointments.
                                     Networking Lunch.
                                     Southeast Europe Regional
                                     Day--Country Presentations.
Wednesday May 13..................   Southeast Europe one on one
                                     matchmaking (Bulgaria, Moldova,
                                     Hungary, Serbia, Croatia,
                                     Macedonia, Bosnia, Montenegro,
                                     Slovenia).
                                     Networking Lunch.
                                     Virtual Introductions/
                                     Executive time.
                                     Travel to Poland.
Thursday May 14...................   Welcome and Country
                                     Briefing (Poland).
                                     Ministry of Administration
                                     and Digitalization Briefing and
                                     other GOP meetings.
                                     Networking Lunch.
                                     One-on-One business
                                     matchmaking appointments.
                                     Reception at Ambassador's
                                     residence (TBC).
Friday May 15.....................   One-on-One business
                                     matchmaking appointments.
                                     Networking Lunch/Central
                                     Europe Regional Opportunities.
                                     Central Europe--One-on-One
                                     business matchmaking appointments.
Saturday May 16...................   Trade Mission Participants
                                     Depart.
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Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
DOC. All applicants will be evaluated, on a rolling basis, on their 
ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection 
criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 15 and maximum of 20 firms 
and/or trade associations will be selected to participate in the 
mission from the applicant pool.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate 
on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of 
a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the Business 
Development Mission will be $2500.00 for small or medium-sized 
enterprises (SME) \1\; and $3650.00 for large firms or trade 
associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large 
firm or SME/trade organization) is $750. Expenses for travel, lodging, 
meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission 
participant. Interpreter and driver services can be arranged for 
additional cost. Delegation members will be able to take advantage of 
U.S. Embassy rates for hotel rooms.
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    \1\ An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or 
that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations 
(see http://www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent companies, affiliates, and 
subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. The 
dual pricing reflects the Commercial Service's user fee schedule 
that became effective May 1, 2008 (see http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html for additional information).
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Exclusions

    The mission fee does not include any personal travel expenses such 
as lodging, most meals, local ground transportation, and air 
transportation from the U.S. to the mission sites, between mission 
sites, and return to the United States. Business visas may be required. 
Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such visas are also 
not included in the mission costs. However, the U.S. Department of 
Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the 
procedures required to obtain necessary business visas.

Conditions for Participation

    An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission application 
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information 
on the company's products and/or services primary market objectives, 
and goals for participation. If the Department of Commerce receives an 
incomplete application, the Department may reject the application, 
request additional information, or take the lack of information into 
account when evaluating the applications.
    Companies must provide certification of products and/or services 
being manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/
produced outside of the United States, the product and/or service is 
marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content 
representing at least 51 percent of the value of the finished good or 
service. In the case of a trade association or trade organization, the 
applicant must certify that, for each company to be represented by the 
trade association or trade organization, the products and services the 
represented company seeks to export are either produced in the United 
States or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at 
least fifty-one percent U.S. content.
    The following criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
     Suitability of the company's (or in the case of a trade 
association/organization, represented companies') products or services 
to the mission goals and the markets to be visited as part of this 
trade mission.
     Company's (or in the case of a trade association/
organization, represented companies') potential for business in each of 
the markets to be visited as part of this trade mission.
     Consistency of the applicant's (or in the case of a trade 
association/organization, represented companies') goals and objectives 
with the stated scope of the mission.
    Diversity of company size and location may also be considered 
during the review process.
    Referrals from political organizations and any documents containing 
references to partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) will be removed from an applicant's submission and not 
considered during the selection process.

Timeline for Recruitment and Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce 
Department trade mission calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions) and 
other Internet Web sites, press releases to general and trade media, 
direct mail, notices by industry trade associations and other 
multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, 
conferences, and trade shows. Recruitment for the mission will begin 
immediately and conclude no later than March 1, 2015. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and make selection 
decisions on a rolling basis beginning October 15, 2014 until the 
maximum of 20 participants is selected. Applications received after 
March 1, 2015, will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

Contacts

Gemal Brangman, Project Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC, Tel: 202-482-3773, Fax: 202-482-9000, 
[email protected].

Pompeya Lambrecht, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Arlington, VA, Tel: 703.756.1707, 
[email protected].

Brenda VanHorn, Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Warsaw, Poland, Tel: (48) 22625 4374, [email protected].

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2014-23210 Filed 9-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P