Long Island is the largest island in the contiguous United States with an estimated population of around 8 million people and a GDP of $115 billion (2007). For what it is worth, Wikipedia mentions that, if it would be a state, Long Island would be the 12th largest state in the USA.

Government (local, state, and federal), finance, health care, and education are all major industries in the region. Traditionally, these industries are well represented in the infosec world.

With numbers like that, it would be reasonable to expect a thriving information security community on Long Island.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find one.

This can partially be explained by the close proximity of New York City, but even there I am fairly disappointed. It is hard to believe that we do not have well established active chapters of organizations such as NAISG, ISACA, ISSA, OWASP (although one was recently founded) here out on the island. 

To fill that gap, I tried to start a group myself a while ago. Unfortunately, I have not received much response to that. I hope to revive that effort once more, and I have established the Long Island Information Security Group.

If you are on (or near) Long Island and if you are interested in information security, computer security or network security, please join this mailing list.

By doing so, I am hopeful that we can create a vibrant local community.