CompTIA at RNC: Promoting the Interests of Tech SMBS

This election cycle CompTIA has joined several of its tech association peers and several IT company sponsors in hosting receptions in Tampa and Charlotte honoring the contributions of innovation to our economy. Our objective is to continue to highlight to policy-makers the diversity of the industry and the fact that it is driven not just by large OEMs and service providers but also by tens of thousands of small- and medium-sized tech companies and entrepreneurs.

This week in Tampa, the Republican Party focused on several policy provisions significant to CompTIA and the industry at large. Here’s a media round-up:

GOP Platform Seeks More Aggressive U.S. Cyber Deterrence Policies – The Republican Party adopted calls for more stringent cybersecurity legislation as they pertain to government and civilian targets – calling President Barack Obama’s current policies too defensive and ineffective – says Computerworld. The comments contained in the manifesto that expresses these frustrations are significant “as they mark the first time either party has focused on cybersecurity in their election-year manifestos.”

Small Business a Common Theme at Republican Convention – Republicans highlighted the growing national debt, sluggish economic recovery and the need to loosen regulatory burdens on small businesses as they sought to court the small business community, says the Washington Post. National polls show a dead heat between President Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney for votes, although a recent Washington Post survey shows 61 percent of small business owners plan to vote for Romney in November.

Tax Policy and Low Regulation Drives Tech Innovation for Romney Backers – A panel of prominent Republicans at the Republican National Convention say that American technological innovation will be the result of reduced regulation and corporate tax reform, according to the National Journal. Additionally, Mitt Romney has talked about his plans to attract highly skilled workers and innovative entrepreneurs from foreign countries, “offering legal immigration status to students who earn Ph. D degrees in the U.S.”

Look for more coverage of both parties’ stances on small business and tech policies following the DNC in Charlotte next week.