Sal Austin, Senior Vice President & Founder, DGX Security
Sal Austin, senior vice president and founder of DGX Security, has a precise mission. “I believe everyone deserves fast, reliable internet—anytime, anywhere. Once you’re connected, you can explore AI and have fun unlocking your full potential,” he told Invest:.
How is DGX Security positioned in New Jersey, and what is its purpose?
I believe that everyone should have access to fast, reliable internet, no matter where they are. Once connected, I want people to enjoy themselves, be productive, and reach their full potential. I’ve led major projects, including upgrading two county parks in Hudson County to Wi-Fi 6, enabling more people to connect at higher speeds. Our work extends across Jersey City, Hudson County, and Union County, especially in bridging the digital divide during COVID. Many children lacked internet access at home, so we developed a solution: a Chromebook, a hotspot, and a prepaid plan. With this setup, families could simply turn on the device and stay online for a full year — no stress, no extra costs. The impact was profound, bringing joy to entire households, from kids to grandparents, as they all gained seamless internet access.
What is your definition of a smart city, and how does it benefit communities?
My mission is to build a smart city in my hometown of Orange, New Jersey, as well as in Newark and East Orange. A smart city offers incredible benefits for everyone. First and foremost, it enhances security. Secondly, it ensures that nearly everyone has access to reliable internet, no matter where they are. By connecting an entire city, residents gain direct access to their public officials, improving communication and engagement, which is currently lacking. A smart city also brings automation, integrating advanced technology like cameras and sensors. These sensors can monitor air and water quality, helping to maintain a healthier environment. In flood-prone areas like Miami, for example, strategically placed sensors around rivers and lakes could track rising water levels and air quality in real time, providing critical data to prevent disasters.
How do you also partner with other organizations and government agencies to foster digital literacy and technology access for all?
During COVID-19, we partnered with Union County, New Jersey, to help bridge the digital divide — a solution I hope to expand nationwide. If you’re a nonprofit or government agency committed to ensuring internet access for seniors, low-income families, veterans, or anyone in need, I’d love to collaborate with you. Our solution is simple: a laptop or Chromebook and a hotspot. Government agencies or nonprofits purchase the package from us and distribute the devices free of charge to those who need them. This approach addresses three key barriers at once: lack of affordable devices, internet access, and financial constraints.
While I appreciate our partners like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, the reality is that their policies, such as credit checks, have contributed to the digital divide. Many seniors and long-term residents struggle with credit, making it difficult for them to secure internet access. Our model eliminates that barrier. With this solution, recipients get a full year of worry-free internet access. After that, they can return to the nonprofit or agency for further assistance or continue using their device via public Wi-Fi in parks and other connected areas.
How do you support emerging trends for corporates and small businesses?
For companies with 10 or more lines, whether providing employees with cell phones, tablets, or Chromebooks, managing both devices and service plans is essential. Beyond just device management, there’s also plan management. Our approach begins with understanding the company’s specific needs. We then coordinate directly with senior management at T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T to ensure they have the right plans and devices, eliminating unnecessary costs while ensuring efficiency. This is especially valuable for businesses with remote workers. Employees need dedicated devices, but they also require secure access to their company’s network. If they’re logging in from their home network, it introduces security risks, including potential hacking. Our solution? We provide companies with routers configured specifically for their network. Employees can use these at home, ensuring a secure connection without relying on personal internet setups. In addition to supplying these routers, we manage company accounts to ensure they have the most suitable plans, devices, and security solutions tailored to their needs.
What opportunities do you see for the tech industry in New Jersey?
Several companies are making moves in the industry, but the one I’m most excited about is Netflix. It recently acquired a massive facility in New Jersey, presenting a huge opportunity, especially with the rise of AI in the streaming business. For actors, filmmakers, and behind-the-scenes creatives, AI opens incredible possibilities. It allows for the creation of AI-generated videos and movies, something I initially explored for making commercials and promotional content for my company. My goal is to encourage inner-city communities to embrace AI and use it to produce films and videos. In just a year or so, we could even see the launch of AI-driven movie awards. Most people aren’t aware of the potential AI holds, but now is the perfect time to dive in. It’s an opportunity to gain recognition, make money, and establish yourself as a creative force in the industry.
Would you say that investors need to have a good grasp of AI for future projects?
AI is now integrated into almost everything, especially with the emergence of DeepSeek. What makes DeepSeek a game-changer is that it was developed in China using less power and money, yet it rivals major AI models. More importantly, it’s fully open source, which is disrupting the AI landscape in the United States. Previously, major companies operated closed AI systems, but DeepSeek’s release is forcing them to reconsider. Take Meta (Facebook), for example. Its AI was supposed to be open source, but in reality, only some of it is. Similarly, ChatGPT was initially expected to be fully open source, but that’s no longer the case. Now, with DeepSeek setting a precedent, other companies are following suit. Elon Musk’s Grok, for instance, has announced that once Grok 4 launches, Grok 3 will become fully open source. This is a huge win for independent developers and entrepreneurs. With open-source AI, smaller players can now build their own innovations and compete with industry giants. In the next year or so, I expect to see smaller startups leveraging open-source AI to challenge the dominance of big tech, reshaping the industry as we know it.
