Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is strengthening cybersecurity for businesses and residents with the launch of America’s first city-based Cyber Lab.

The lab is a public-private partnership that will disseminate information and intelligence based on analysis of more than one billion security-related events and over four million attempted intrusions into city networks.

The Los Angeles Cyber Lab – formed in partnership with Cisco – builds on the mayor’s executive directive to create a Cyber Intrusion Command Center for preparation and response by city departments. The lab will alert small- and medium-sized businesses about attacks. Larger businesses can receive automated updates to their cyber defense systems. Membership is free.

Over time, the platform will evolve into a mutual exchange of information on cyber threats with private sector partners. It will further fortify Los Angeles’ capacity to thwart cyber criminals, Garcetti said.

“The security of our financial, business and personal information depends on aggressive, proactive cyber defense, and the L.A. Cyber Lab will help tilt the balance in Angelenos’ favor against evolving threats from criminal hackers,” Garcetti added. “L.A. is a leader in this area because we are constantly sharing information and using new technology to strengthen cybersecurity within city government. We’re expanding that capacity to protect Angelenos’ online safety, privacy and property.”

Los Angeles is one of the first cities in the nation to share its cyber threat data with the public, helping businesses and residents secure their networks and devices from hacking not caught by traditional antivirus programs and defense systems.

In the coming year, the L.A. Cyber Lab and the city will launch an Innovation Incubator, which will use a simulated city network as a testing ground for new cyber defense technologies. The program will also provide high school and university students with experience working in cyber security.

The L.A. Cyber Lab was launched with funding by the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles’ Spark grant program, which provides resources supporting innovative approaches to civic issues. The mayor also announced the formation of the L.A. Cyber Lab Advisory Board, which will further develop the cyber security platform and protect online communications and data.

For information, visit lacyberlab.org.