More than 15,000 security professionals attended a seminar on terrorism Oct. 3, sponsored by the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Alexandria, Va. The full-day program addressed the need for reliable information on terrorism and related subjects during its international seminar and exhibit in San Antonio. This special program is in addition to more than 150 educational sessions scheduled during the four-day conference, starting Oct. 1.
William Cohen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, presented the keynote address at 8 a.m. on Oct. 3 in the Cockrell Theater of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The session ended with a question and answer period from 11 a.m. to noon. Other featured speakers included top experts from the U.S. government, corporate security, and diplomacy—with panel discussions moderated by Robert C.G. Disney, chairman of the ASIS Council on Global Terrorism, Political Instability, and International Crime. The meeting's agenda included the following presentations:
1:30 - 3:00 pm
Global Terrorism, U.S. Government Initiatives, Potential Threats/Groups
Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, III, Managing Director and Senior Advisor, Political and Emerging Risks, Marsh, Inc; former Chairman, National Commission on Terrorism; former Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism
The Islamic Perspective/Motivation of Terrorist Organizations
Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, President, Islamic Circle of North America FEMA's Office of National Preparedness Director John Magaw, Acting Director of National Preparedness, FEMA; former Director of ATF and the U. S. Secret Service
Aviation Security: Failures and Future
Douglas Laird, BGI International; former Director of Security for Northwest Airlines
The Future of Terrorism
Peter Probst, Vice President, Institute for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Consequence Management
Henry Nocella, CPP, Security Consultant; former Director of Worldwide Security, Bestfoods
In addition to the educational programs, the ASIS International Annual Seminar and Exhibit featured 700 companies displaying products and services needed to manage crises, prepare for contingencies, and protect lives and property.
"Many corporations now have tasked their security directors to augment existing security procedures and equipment," said Bonnie S. Michelman, CPP, ASIS president, and director of police and security at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Recognizing that some fellow practitioners might face unusual corporate pressures or travel restrictions, she urged companies to recognize that "the ASIS Seminar and Exhibit provides a unique perspective for security professionals at this critical point in history. Our commitment to hold the Seminar as scheduled, and to enhance it with very relevant and timely information, is ASIS' way of addressing this crisis and responding to President Bush's call for a return to business."
For more information, visit www.asisonline.org.
