FitzGerald News: Press Releases

Thought Leaders Assemble on Capitol Hill to Discuss
Private Sector Security Solutions for Homeland Defense

Eight of the Nation's Top Security and Public Policy Experts from Technology Firms, Trade Associations and Think Tanks Discuss the Private Sector's Role in Domestic Defense

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 23, 2002 — On the heels of the Bush Administration's announcement of a new security strategy, a panel of experts will assemble today on Capitol Hill to discuss private sector security solutions for homeland defense. Panelists include senior public policy and security experts from American Management Systems - AMS (NASDQ: AMSY), BindView Corporation (NASDAQ: BVEW), CATO Institute, Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ: CHKP), The Information Technology Association of America -ITAA, Sabre, Inc. (NYSE: TSG), TRUSTe and Identix - formerly Visionics (Nasdaq: IDNX).

The panel will take place today from Noon – 2:00 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room B339, Washington DC.

Opening remarks will be given by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and Chairman of the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Smith also serves on the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) that has authority to study and report on all aspects of the economy and recommend actions to ensure its continued growth.

"The threat of terrorism has propelled cyber security from a business issue to one of national security importance," Congressman Smith said. "Private industry owns and operates the vast majority of our government's critical infrastructure. It's important that the Federal Government draw on the private sector's knowledge and resources to improve our ability to guard against cyber attacks."

The panel will be moderated by Drew Clark, senior writer for the National Journal's Technology Daily, and will focus on two of today's most pressing national security concerns: Protecting Critical Infrastructures: Cyber Security, and The Identification Debate: Biometrics. Panelists and select audience members will discuss private sector "best practices" that could be used to support current and future government security endeavors. Achieving balance between protecting the nation and preserving individual freedoms and privacy will also be a topic on today's agenda.

Last week the Bush Administration unveiled a new security strategy for the nation that includes a call for levels of collaboration between the public and private sector not seen previously. The strategy outlined six critical areas for homeland defense, several of which will be addressed by panelists today. President Bush's plan calls for the protection of the nation's critical infrastructures from physical and cyber attacks, including teams to test the security of critical systems, networks and facilities; and an overhaul of current information technology systems to improve information sharing among agencies. National identification is also addressed via biometric technologies to secure important facilities.

Attendees of the forum include members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agency representatives, national policy and government/security media, and others active in homeland security. Attendees will hear from the following panelists:

• Barry Goleman, Vice President of American Management Systems (AMS), an expert in the development of identification solutions and large-scale integration of motor vehicle systems. He manages the Public Safety and Transportation (PS&T) line of business for AMS.
  
  
• Scott Blake, Vice President of Information Security, CISSP for BindView Corporation who is responsible for the functioning of RAZOR, a worldwide team of security experts and performs original research in computer and network security.
  
  
• Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Director of Technology Policy for The CATO Institute examines "new economy" regulatory issues, competition policy issues, and various Internet governance issues.
  
  
• Joe DiPietro, Director of Enterprise Integration with Check Point Software Technologies, Inc. is responsible for creating technical security designs specifically for Federal Government customers.
  
  
• Frances Zelazny, Director of Corporate Communications of Identix Incorporated oversees legislative affairs, strategic communications and marketing communications for the Company.
  
  
• Shannon L. Kellogg, Vice President of ITAA leads their national awareness and advocacy efforts on information security and critical infrastructure protection issues.
  
  
• Mike Anderson, Director of Airline Solutions for Sabre Inc. responsible for Passenger Service Products. He's spearheaded advanced passenger technology efforts and prototyped technologies like biometrics for passenger identification.
  
  
• Becky Richards, Director of Compliance and Policy for TRUSTe oversees all aspects of enforcement operations and policy developments for the TRUSTe program, including overseeing the TRUSTe Watchdog dispute resolution process that allows Web users to turn to TRUSTe for resolution of their privacy related disputes.
  
  

The forum is being hosted by FitzGerald Communications and Brodeur Worldwide, the nation's two leading communications consultancies for technology-driven organizations.