Technology plays an increasingly important role in all aspects of our lives today. The more entrenched it is in government systems, in our offices and in our home appliances the more vulnerable we are to cyber attacks.

On this edition of Out to Lunch, Stephanie Riegel introduces two local experts on the subject of cyber security. One developing technology; the other trying to protect us from malware and hackers.

Mo Vij is the founder and CEO of General Infomatics. It’s a nearly 16 year old IT services company based in Baton Rouge that develops software to help clients in the defense sector, health care industry, business, law enforcement and more. General Infomatics recently unveiled a new product called Gismo that serves as a handheld communication device police officers can use in the field. In the non-cyber world, Mo recently announced plans to develop a high-tech office park at the corner of Bluebonnet and Highland Road that will have a Silicon Valley-style, campus-like atmosphere and hopefully attract more high tech tenants in the years to come. 

While Mo’s company is making technology, John Zachary’s firm is trying to guard users of technology from cyber attacks. John worked for clients like the Pentagon and the National Security Administration in Washington D.C. for several years before returning in 2016 to his native Baton Rouge and bringing his services here. While we may hear about high profile hacking incidents when Netflix or PayPal are the victims, John will tell you that local businesses and even individuals need to stay on their toes, too. Because we are all vulnerable.

Photos at Mansurs on the Boulevard by Rick LeCompte.