Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined KPMG Chicago Office Managing Partner Pat Canning and Tony Buffomante, U.S. leader for cyber services, for a tour of the firm’s Cyber Security Lab and a discussion on the evolving role of professional services firms in the international economy. During the visit, KPMG announced a plan to add 500 jobs in the Chicago office by 2020, after beating a previous growth projection by a year.

“We announced in September 2012 that the Chicago office would gain 500 new employees in five years, but we beat that projection by a full year,” Canning said. “I’m happy to say we plan to add another 500 people by 2020.”

“Chicago is one of the world’s top cities for technology and we have the talent to ensure KPMG’s incredible growth continues,” Mayor Emanuel said. “KPMG’s commitment to Chicago is a vote of confidence in our city’s future and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and thrive right here in the city of Chicago.”

KPMG’s Cyber Security practice is part of the firm’s broad advisory (consulting) offerings. The consulting business has been the Chicago office’s growth engine in recent years and will lead its growth in the future.

Linda Imonti, advisory leader of KPMG’s Chicago office, said the firm has benefitted from the diversity of the city’s economy and its world-class talent. Chicago has become KPMG’s second-largest office in the United States, with 2,300 colleagues. It is also home to several practice teams and national practice leaders, including Buffomante.

KPMG has become a leader among professional services firms in helping companies protect their critical business information.

With new and emerging risks related to cyber-attacks, KPMG has expanded its capabilities, including its workforce, to address the challenge. Its Cyber Security practice is one of the fastest growing advisory practices in the firm. Employment in the Chicago office’s Cyber Security practice has more than doubled since 2012.

“As the world becomes more digitized there is a growing need to protect products and services from bad actors looking to exploit them,” Buffomante said. “Every year, the demand for cyber professionals continues to grow. KPMG Cyber Security Services will continue to hire aggressively to meet the demand for this service.”

Mayor Emanuel is responding to the needs of employers like KPMG. Last month, he announced an investment in a cyber security training initiative to prepare students for jobs in this highly technical field. The City Colleges of Chicago has formed a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to launch a cyber security boot camp, modeled after an intensive, six-month course developed by the U.S. military.

###