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Abacode, one of the fastest growing Cybersecurity and Compliance firms in the United States, announced a collaboration with Atlanta-based Apptega, a leader in cybersecurity management software.

“Abacode continues to innovate and partner with great technology companies,” said Greg Chevalier, SVP Partners and Sales Strategy for Abacode. “The Abacode – Apptega partnership allows Apptega to deliver cybersecurity management and compliance software integrated into Abacode’s full spectrum of cybersecurity solutions and services including managed cyber threat detection and response (MDR), governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), vulnerability assessments and digital forensics.  Together, we’re providing game-changing value to clients that wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration and capabilities of Abacode’s holistic offering and Apptega’s industry-leading software.”    

The Apptega platform, combined with Abacode’s holistic Design, Implement, Manage and Reporting capabilities will also provide clients with program-level financial forecasting so they have a full understanding of the spend options available for their cybersecurity and compliance initiatives.

The Abacode – Apptega partnership brings cybersecurity services forward especially for companies on the path of implementing a transformational cybersecurity and compliance program. 

“We are delighted to partner with Abacode, an award-winning managed security service provider ranked among the top 100 MSSPs worldwide,” said Armistead Whitney, CEO of Apptega.  “The Apptega platform highly compliments Abacode’s full suite of cybersecurity solutions and services in one easy-to-deploy package.  We’re really excited to grow the market together.”

The national call to “defund the police” during the ongoing racial injustice protests has sparked heated debate for and against, not to mention confusion about what the term actually means.

Early Wednesday morning, a group of protesters spray-painted “Defund Police” on the street in front of the Atlanta Police Department’s headquarters in Downtown.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said during her weekly conference call with the Atlanta City Council on June 10 that “defunding the police” doesn’t mean to get rid of cops and police departments. Rather, it’s about reallocating funding to social services and community enhancement initiatives led by trained professionals instead of officers.

“We are already reallocating around 50 percent of our corrections budgets into those specific areas,” Bottoms said. “We’ve been doing this work over the last couple of years and have been thoughtful on how we spend this money.”

Bottoms said putting public safety costs into community initiatives and closing the city jail were part of that “proactively thoughtful” plan. She said the bulk of APD’s budget goes toward salaries, pensions, workers compensation, and capital costs.

In related news, Bottoms said that the advisory committee she established on the APD’s use-of-force was having its first meeting on June 10 and a final report should be ready in 45 days. Two APD officers were fired and four others charged with using excessive force while arresting two college students on May 30.

Bottoms also said the city’s economic development agency, Invest Atlanta, will offer grants to small businesses damaged in recent vandalism, looting, and arson seen during the early days of the protests.

Businesses can receive grants up to $10,000, which can be used to reimburse an insurance deductible or pay directly for damages that cost less than the deductible. Initial funding will be targeted at businesses with one to nine employees and annual revenues of $300,000 or less. For full details and more information, see the Invest Atlanta website here.

The mayor also, once again, urged those who had participated in the protests to get tested for COVID-19.

John Ruch contributed to this report.

The post Mayor says City of Atlanta has been ‘defunding the police’ for the last few years appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

What a Google Breakup Will Look Like

What Will Google Look Like after it is Broken Up? Forecast:  Google will be broken up. Why? It’s the only viable solution to stop a Trillion dollar company from dominating everything it wants, undermining small business and competition, because it can. But don’t feel sorry for Google. The founders got to live their dream and…

After Georgia voters mailed in an unprecedented 1.1 million absentee ballots and chaos at the polls, the June 9 primary election is finally offering up some winners.

Democrat John Ossoff avoided a runoff to advance to the November general election and face Republican David Purdue for the U.S Senate.

Incumbent Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard will face his former employee, Fani Willis, in his bid for reelection, in the Aug. 11 runoff.

Similarly, Fulton Sheriff Ted Jackson has a commanding lead over his four opponents, but still short of the 50 pecent plus one vote necessary to avoid a runoff. He’ll face Patrick “Pat” Labat in August..

In the Georgia Supreme Court race, incumbent Charlie Bethel fended off a challenge from Beth Beskin, while incumbent Sarah Warren bested Hal Moroz.

You can see all the official election numbers for Fulton County at this link and for DeKalb County at this link.

The results came after what some officials termed a “meltdown” at the local polls.

In Fulton and DeKalb counties, long lines due to a reduced number of poll locations, long lines due to COVID-19 social distancing, malfunctioning machines, poll worker confusion, and not enough provisional ballots outraged voters. Polls were kept open until 9 p.m. in Fulton, while at least one station in DeKalb was open past 10 p.m.

While voters decried the broken process and expressed grave concerns about voter suppression on social media, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger blamed ineptness on county election officials and said his office would investigate.

Local officials placed the blame squarely on Raffensperger, including DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.

Local leaders pushed back on the secretary of state’s comments, including DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “The Election Day issues relating to the use of state-purchased voting machines represent an attack on the democratic process. The Secretary of State’s office has alleged these issues resulted from a failure of county leadership. If there was a failure of leadership, it starts where the buck should stop, at the top. The eradication of any ‘learning curve’ rests squarely at the feet of the Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his office,” Thurmond said in a statement. 

The post UPDATE: Ossoff avoids runoff, but Fulton DA and Sheriff headed to Aug. 11 rematch appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

You’ve probably seen the WE’LL BUY YOUR HOME – ANY CONDITION or WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH signs around your neighborhood. If you want to sell your house fast, selling…

Investing in Airbnb rental properties can be a pretty lucrative business. Over the past decade, many investors have earned substantial profits by investing in this popular rental strategy. Many travelers…

Before you start investing in residential real estate, you need to know how lucrative a certain property for sale is expected to be. There is no better way of analyzing…

The Allen Morris Company has named CF Real Estate Services as the management company of Star Metals Residences, as pre-leasing begins  at the residential component of the $344 million Star Metals mixed-use development in West Midtown. The initial phase of Star Metals Residences’ luxury apartment homes is expected to welcome its first residents this summer. When completed, the project will have 409 luxury apartments. Featuring studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, rents start at $1,300 per month. Amenities include a rooftop bar and lounge, game room, fire pits, outdoor dog run and grooming area, and a fitness center opening onto the pool terrace. There will also be restaurant and retail space on the first floor. For pre-leasing information, visit starmetalsresidences.com.

Atlanta real estate agent to the stars, Brandi Hunter-Lewis, has joined Compass. With more than $27 million in sales in 2019, she was the top-ranked luxury agent at Keller Williams in Atlanta. Hunter-Lewis is the go-to Realtor for NFL and NBA athletes and Atlanta’s musicians and reality TV stars, including Kandi Burruss, Cardi B, and Fetty Wap.

Engel & Völkers Atlanta has announced the addition of The Robinson Group under the leadership of Lisa Robinson to the firm’s luxury brokerage division. The top producing group of 10 advisors specialize in luxury residential listing sales in Atlanta’s top neighborhoods and will continue its focus under the Engel & Völkers Atlanta brand.

Pellerin Real Estate has released renderings for The Marbut & The Minor, a mixed-use development on Flat Shoals Avenue in East Atlanta Village. The two-building project will include a new 25,000-square-foot building with street level retail space with 20 apartments above and a redevelopment 12,600 structure that once housed the Marbut & Minor Mercantile Store.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has rescheduled its annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour to Sept. 12-13. The event, usually a Mother’s Day weekend staple, will feature tours of private gardens around metro Atlanta. Get tickets at atlantabg.org.

The post Real Estate Briefs: Star Metals Residences, The Marbut & The Minor, plus more appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

Election workers across the state are still tallying an unprecedented  1.1 million absentee ballots received for the June 9 primary election in Georgia, which proved chaotic and confusing in metro Atlanta.

You can see the unofficial election numbers for Fulton County at this link and for DeKalb County at this link.

In Fulton and DeKalb counties, long lines due to a reduced number of poll locations, long lines due to COVID-19 social distancing, malfunctioning machines, poll worker confusion, and not enough provisional ballots outraged voters. Polls were kept open until 9 p.m. in Fulton, while at least one station in DeKalb was open past 10 p.m.

While voters decried the broken process and expressed grave concerns about voter suppression on social media, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger blamed ineptness on county election officials and said his office would investigate.

Local officials placed the blame squarely on Raffensperger, including DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.

Local leaders pushed back on the secretary of state’s comments, including DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “The Election Day issues relating to the use of state-purchased voting machines represent an attack on the democratic process. The Secretary of State’s office has alleged these issues resulted from a failure of county leadership. If there was a failure of leadership, it starts where the buck should stop, at the top. The eradication of any ‘learning curve’ rests squarely at the feet of the Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his office,” Thurmond said in a statement. 

The post Ballots still being counted after chaotic primary election in metro Atlanta appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting all community residents to a live webinar – “A Talk with the Experts – How Diet and Nutrition Impacts Risk of Dementia”.  The live online event will take place on Thursday, June 18 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. 

The panel of experts includes:

• Hugh Acheson, former Top Chef judge and owner and operator of several Georgia restaurants including Empire State South and Five and Ten 

• Dr. Lisa M. Renzi-Hammond, Neuroscientist, Assistant Professor, Institute of Gerontology, University of Georgia, College of Public Health

• Renae Brown, Chief Dietitian, Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services

• Mary Caldwell, Helpline and Early Stage Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association

“It is critical for me to learn more about the positive impact that good food has on people living with the immense burden of Alzheimer’s disease”, added Hugh Acheson. “As a chef, I know that nourishment can bring comfort and relief to those living through the anxiety of dementia. As a son of someone afflicted with Alzheimer’s I know food can make a difference.”

June marks Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, an opportunity to hold a conversation about the brain, and share the fact that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are a major public health issue. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, eating a heart-healthy diet benefits both your body and your brain. 

“We are extremely excited to have this amazing group of experts that can provide our community residents valuable information that can reduce risk”, added Linda Davidson, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter. “This event is for everyone, if you are 18 or 90, healthy lifestyle interventions to benefit your health, including your brain, can start today”, she added. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, changes in the brain can occur years before the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear. These early brain changes suggest a possible “window of opportunity” to reduce risk or delay dementia symptoms. 

The Alzheimer’s Association launched a two-year clinical trial researching lifestyle intervention on protecting brain health and potentially reducing the risk of dementia. The U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) trial will test if combining physical activity, healthy nutrition, social and intellectual challenge and improved self-management of medical conditions can protect cognitive function in older adults who are at increased risk for cognitive decline. 

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Georgia alone, there are more than 150,000 people living with the disease and 540,000 caregivers.

To register for the event, visit alz.org/Georgia or call 1-800-272-3900. 

Facts and Figures: (http://www.alz.org/facts/)

• Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth-leading cause of death in Georgia.

• More than five million Americans are living with the disease, including 150,000 Georgia residents — a number estimated to grow to as many as 190,000 by year 2025.

• More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States.

• In 2019, friends and family of those with Alzheimer’s in Georgia provided an estimated 615 million hours of unpaid care, a contribution valued more than $8 billion.