Tuesday, February 28, WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Information Technology Office (USITO) announced today that BSA | The Software Alliance (BSA) and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) have joined the USITO community as parent associations. BSA and CompTIA will serve on the Executive Committee of USITO, which sets strategy and guides all aspects of USITO’s ongoing efforts to understand and improve the policy environment for technology industry growth and innovation in China.  BSA and CompTIA join current parent associations, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) on the Executive Committee.

“USITO is stronger than ever with the addition of BSA and CompTIA to our Executive Committee,” commented Josh Kallmer, ITI Senior Vice President for Global Policy and Chairman of the USITO Executive Committee. “The need for accurate information, sound counsel and a mature, measured voice on technology policy in China is acute and growing. For 23 years, USITO has been uniquely positioned to serve this need and our new parent associations will further enhance the impact and relevance of USITO’s work.”

USITO and BSA have a history of effective collaboration on technology policy issues in China. BSA represents the software industry across the globe, with particular focus on cloud computing, intellectual property rights (IPR), cybersecurity, and privacy. Together, BSA and USITO aim to address the fast-changing policy environment in China around these issues, while aligning and deploying resources to support global software firms in China with the challenges of market access, technology localization and trade barriers.

“BSA is excited to be joining with USITO and the other USITO parent associations to promote a healthy relationship between our sector and Chinese policy makers,” said Jared Ragland, Senior Director, Policy – APAC of BSA. “Speaking with one voice on the important opportunities and challenges in China for the global software and ICT industry is critically important for driving effective policy outcomes for our members.”

CompTIA brings a wealth of resources and knowledge from their 2,000-member portfolio, complementing USITO’s experience in China with compliance issues, standards and trade rules. CompTIA represents companies across the IT industry, from small software developers to large telecommunications firms, and addresses a gamut of issues, including trade, cybersecurity, the environment and immigration. Following its acquisition of founding USITO parent association TechAmerica in 2014, CompTIA has enhanced and expanded its policy efforts globally.

"We are excited to be working again with the USITO staff, parent associations and company members on issues of critical importance to the tech industry and the U.S. – China relationship" stated Ken Montgomery, Vice President, International Trade Regulation & Compliance, CompTIA.  “Whether it be matters of cybersecurity, cross-border data flows or trade compliance, China presents unique challenges and opportunities for the tech industry.”

Christopher Millward, President and Managing Director of USITO added, “China presents USITO members with both uniquely complex challenges and significant opportunities as they grow their prospects here and build their businesses and supply chains globally. Public policy plays into this mix in a major way, permeating every aspect of member companies’ operations, so getting policy right is imperative. We aim to maintain USITO’s invaluable role as a source of accurate, actionable intelligence and an advocate for open, fair and technically robust policy solutions in China. BSA and CompTIA are sure to be important partners in this vital endeavor, and we are excited to have them on board.”

United States Information Technology Office (USITO)

Founded in 1994, the United States Information Technology Office (USITO) www.usito.org is the leading, independent, non-profit, membership-based trade association representing the U.S. information and communications technology industry in China, with a membership comprised of leading high-tech trade associations and companies.  USITO serves to create effective channels for engagement between our members and the Chinese & U.S. governments, academia and other industry groups focused on improving policy and regulation. USITO serves as the China representative of five leading trade associations in the U.S., including BSA | The Software Alliance, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).

BSA | The Software Alliance (BSA)

BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) www.comptia.org https://www.comptia.org/is the world's leading technology association, with approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners, over 100,000 registered users and more than two million IT certifications issued.  CompTIA's unparalleled range of programs foster workforce skills development and generate critical knowledge and insight – building the foundation for technology’s future. Visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to learn more.