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www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 9 TECH SUPPORTING VETERANS BY PATRICK FINUCANE, REGIONAL SECURITY MANAGER EMEA/APAC, DROPBOX I n 2012, US tech company Dropbox moved to set up its Inter- national Headquarters in Dublin. With over 500 million users globally, the Dublin office manages several key operations on behalf of Dropbox throughout EMEA and APAC. Everything from physical security, legal representation, customer experience and online support are some of the services. Similar to Facebook, Mi- crosoft and Amazon, Dropbox has a large international workforce, and it is in that space that many former service personnel have carved out new careers for themselves. Within the tech industry, there is a growing recognition that former service personnel (or veterans in the US lexicon) are highly focused, motivated and skilled and often possess a far wider range of skills and abilities not available amongst candidates in the traditional job market - this means that there is a ready pool of talent to tap into. For those leaving service it also means that there are now opportunities in the tech sector that simply did not exist 10-years-ago. In recognising the commitment and service that veterans have given to their countries, many tech companies continue to support and reward that service through global support group initiatives and Dropbox is no different. The group Veterans @ Dropbox's mis- sion is to educate Dropboxers about military service and veterans' issues (regardless of where that service took place). While also sup- porting the diverse community of employees who have served in the military, their families and supporters. Additionally, the group plans to support the active duty and military veteran community outside of Dropbox through a range of transition-related programs and partnerships. The aims of Veterans @ Dropbox are: Establishing partner- ships with impactful organisations that uplift the active duty and military veteran community through a range of transition-related programs, service-related activities, and support groups; Support- ing newly hired/transitioning veterans at Dropbox; Building a safer space for Dropbox to learn the value of veterans; Provide greater education around transferable skills and Socialise the value of veterans in the workplace. As part of that outreach program it was decided that Dropbox would offer a donation of IT equipment to the Organisation of Nation Ex-Service Personnel or Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉire- ann (ONE). After the completion of some necessary adminis- tration, Patrick Finu- cane, Richard O'Neill (both former DFHQ) and Cormac Johnson (former 2 Bde HQ) met with ONE's CEO Ollie O'Connor to handover a donation of Apple and Dell lap- tops. All three former service personnel are now part of the Dropbox Physical Security & Safety team, where they lead up protective intelligence security operations for Drop- box. In addition to the laptops, Dropbox Catering Operations Manager Glen Curtis and EMEA Executive Chef Mark Anderson donated an indus- trial coffee machine for the residents of Brú na Bhfiann – ONE's homeless initiative for veterans. The donated laptops will allow ONE run programs and databases that are critical to the charity's continued operation and will also assist them in providing an essential service to veteran clients. The coffee machine will keep everyone refreshed and rejuvenated. During the visit Ollie gave the group a tour of the facility and spoke about the challenges facing veterans when they leave service. Following the visit, it was agreed that Veterans @ Dropbox would continue to support ONE and also the larger Irish veteran commu- nity on a global scale. Veterans @ Dropbox donations. Patrick Finucane serving in Chad. Cormac Johnson serving in Liberia. Dropbox staff Richard O'Neill, Patrick Finucane, and Cormac Johnson meeting ONE's CEO Ollie O'Connor at Brú na Bhfiann, Smithfield, Dublin.

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