victim a key that allows the files to be unlocked.

Members of AEP's cyber-security team — housed in the company's Columbus, Ohio, headquarters behind an unmarked door that unlocks with a fingerprint scanner — saw the strange network behavior as soon as it started.

"When you see this (code) attempting to hit thousands of systems outside of the AEP network, that's a 'holy crap' moment," said Sean Parcel, AEP's lead cyberinvestigator.

Had CryptoLocker wormed its way into AEP's system, the business and operations networks could have locked up, experts say.

But Parcel said AEP's cyberteam already had blocked the foreign addresses that the malware needed to reach to start encrypting files, part of a policy of systematically blocking hundreds of Internet Protocol addresses each week to keep employees from inadvertently downloading maliciousfeature announcements from business owners.

Austin Young Chamber of Commerce : As the fastest growing young professionals organization in Central Texas, AYC has regular networking events and professional development seminars.

Austin Tech Happy Hour - A monthly happy hour event for the technology community in Austin.

Bumble Bizz - Headquartered in Austin, the popular dating app Bumble now has a networking feature. Switch to “Bizz” mode to connect with potential mentors and career opportunities near you.

WeWork Events - WeWork is a coworking space with offices around the world, including a few here in Austin. Check out the various events they host throughout the month to find the right networking opportunity to fit your needs.

Capital Factory Events - Capital Factory is a coworking space and startup accelerator based in Austin. They regularly