Rome, NY — August 23, 2024 — Open-Architecture Resilient IoT for Operational Networks (ORION) celebrated its official launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 23, 2024, at its NTROPEE facility, located at 99 Langley Road in Rome, NY.
This ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a pivotal moment for Central New York, unveiling ORION as the region’s first cross-organizational tech partnership focused on the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT connects everyday devices and objects to the internet, allowing them to communicate with each other. This technology enhances our lives by making everyday tasks more convenient and efficient, such as controlling home devices remotely or tracking health metrics.
ORION is set to transform the local tech landscape and extend its influence state-wide and nationally by addressing key challenges in the IoT industry. The event highlighted ORION’s role in boosting economic growth, creating job opportunities, and attracting investment, thus enhancing the region’s tech reputation.
“Leading ORION has been a rewarding experience, as it has allowed us to demonstrate how innovation and collaboration can transform the IoT landscape. The ORION lab within the Innovare Advancement Center, alongside the NTROPEE facility, plays a crucial role in this mission, offering our ecosystem partners the tools and environment to create cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, these facilities provide valuable opportunities to educate and inspire guests visiting Griffiss Institute for tours, showcasing the groundbreaking work happening right here. We’re ensuring seamless integration and making a meaningful impact on our national security,” said Anthony Macera, Senior Computer Engineer/Senior Program Manager at AFRL Information Directorate.
Nationally, ORION’s innovative approach to IoT integration and security is poised to set new industry standards. By developing secure and advanced IoT solutions, ORION aims to drive technological advancements and contribute to national security.
ORION is a technology accelerator and innovation ecosystem aimed at augmenting the Department of Defense’s (DoD) ability to develop, secure, deploy, and utilize IoT technology. Operating as a force in cyber assurance, integration, demonstration, and transition, the ribbon-cutting acknowledged ORION’s team of technical experts and partners that possess the skills and capabilities needed to ensure the integrity and resilience of critical systems through customizable environments and cutting-edge tooling.
ORION is a congressionally funded initiative between the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL), Assured Information Security (AIS), Quanterion Solutions, the Griffiss Institute, and the New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC).
“This ribbon cutting is a testament to the unique potential of the ORION partnership, which positions AFRL, the Griffiss Institute, AIS and their partners to drive the future of Internet of Things and cybersecurity development right here in Rome. Thanks to the $5 million I delivered in the 2023 federal budget, the supercharged ORION partnership is off to the races,” said Senator Schumer. “The ORION partnership stands as a testament to the hard work and commitment of Romans and key partners in NYS and across the country to address the critical security challenges of our time. The United States investment in the ORION partnership is already paying off, enhancing our national security, ensuring that our Internet of Things technologies are robust and resilient in an interconnected world, and solidifying the Mohawk Valley as a premier destination for cybersecurity and Internet of Things innovation. This is a vital step forward for Upstate New York and our country, and I will continue to support the ORION partnership as it embarks on this new chapter”
“The ORION IoT innovation hub represents a pivotal step forward in securing our technological future. By advancing IoT resilience and fostering collaboration between industry leaders and the Department of Defense, we are not only enhancing national security but also driving economic growth and technological innovation right here in the Mohawk Valley. I am proud to support this groundbreaking initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community and our nation,” said Representative Brandon Williams.
“We are proud to host ORION in Oneida County, as it signifies much more than just technological advancement. This initiative is a beacon of our region’s potential, driving not only the future of IoT development and cybersecurity but also fostering economic growth and innovation. ORION is positioning Oneida County as a hub for cutting-edge technology, creating opportunities for our community, and setting a strong foundation for the next generation of leaders and innovators. We are excited to see the lasting impact it will have on our region and beyond,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.
“ORION represents the power of collaboration and what’s possible when a community comes together to innovate. Over the past year, we’ve seen remarkable strides in IoT technology, driven by the passion and expertise of our local talent and partners. This project has not only strengthened our defense capabilities but has also brought a sense of pride and purpose to Rome. We’re proud to support an initiative that’s making a real difference, both here at home and beyond,” said City of Rome Mayor Jeffery Lanigan.
ORION has two locations on Rome’s Griffiss Business & Technology Park and the facilities offer specialized testing services to meet distinct needs. The ORION IoT Laboratory at Innovare Advancement Center focuses on evaluating and ensuring the quality of software through performance and security testing, while NTROPEE is dedicated to assessing hardware durability and reliability through rigorous physical and environmental testing.
“This ribbon cutting is not just a celebration of ORION’s accomplishments so far, but a powerful testament to the future we’re building,” said Charles Green, CEO at AIS. “Thanks to ORION’s NTROPEE facility, a 20,000 square foot hangar, we’ve already facilitated numerous STEM events, cybersecurity exercises and rigorous system testing, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. This is only the beginning. With our incredible partners, we are eager to expand our efforts and continue empowering organizations in harnessing IoT’s full potential through testing, evaluation, integration, demonstration and transition.”
“Griffiss Institute is proud to lead ORION’s STEM initiatives, marketing, workshops, and community engagement, particularly here in Upstate New York. This project is vital to our mission of fostering opportunities for the next generation and attracting and developing the talent that our region is known for. By connecting our community with cutting-edge technology and resources, we’re not only driving innovation locally but also contributing to our national security. ORION is a testament to the power of collaboration in Upstate New York, where we’re shaping the future and ensuring our country’s strength and resilience,” said Heather Hage, President and CEO of Griffiss Institute.
“At NYSTEC, we’re dedicated to coordinating the efforts that support ORION’s growth and success. By building a strong framework for expansion, we’re helping to drive the future of this innovative ecosystem. ORION represents a bold vision for the future, and we’re proud to be a part of it,” said Kevin Owens, President and CEO of NYSTEC.
Quanterion Solutions, a software and data analysis solutions provider, has been a key technical contributor to ORION’s success in its first year.
“The ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorates the cutting-edge capabilities that ORION offers for national defense, while also looking forward to the promising future of this innovative ecosystem,” said Alex MacDiarmid, Vice President of Quanterion Solutions.
For anyone looking to have their IoT systems tested by ORION’s team, visit orionassured.com/test-with-us/.
Coming up next for ORION is a workshop titled “Wearable IoT for Healthcare and Defense” on October 10, 2024, focusing on how IoT is shaping today’s medical industry and how healthcare providers can effectively optimize the technology. To learn more and register for the workshop, visit orionassured.com/wearable-iot-for-healthcare-and-defense-workshop.
ORION is not only a testament to local ingenuity but also a significant step forward for the IoT industry, offering a model of cross-organizational collaboration that could inspire similar partnerships across the country.
For more information about ORION, visit orionassured.com.
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About ORION
ORION is a technology accelerator and innovation ecosystem aimed at developing, securing, deploying, and utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ORION’s subject matter experts are capable of thoroughly testing almost any system to find weak points, and then – through a process of evaluation, integration, demonstration, and transition – guide clients toward the next steps in assuring their system’s integrity. By leveraging expertise from its industry-leading partners including the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL), Assured Information Security (AIS), Quanterion Solutions Incorporated, Griffiss Institute, NYSTEC, and Cisco, ORION effectively supports customer requirements and drives technological advancement across government, academia, and industry. ORION is at the forefront of securing our interconnected world. For more information, visit orionassured.com.