Homeland Security Symposiums

 

2009 Homeland Security Symposium "Protecting Large Facility Complexes"

Large facilities and facility complexes represent high-value targets and pose unique risk management challenges. Such sites often perform critical functions and include federal, state and local government complexes, education, research, manufacturing, communication, transportation, health, retail, recreation, and sports facilities. Expansive building interiors and campus areas inhibit communication and situational awareness. Large facility complexes often host multiple primary and tenant organizations with very different stakeholders, missions and operating parameters. Controlling access for large populations of both employees and the public is a concern for many large facilities. Security programs must address multiple hazards spanning both physical and cyber dimensions.

To develop a better common perspective on large facility protection, foster community dialogue, and explore more effective security approaches, this event will bring together the facility executives and security experts to discuss large facility complex protection issues and solutions. Panels will address threats and preparedness measures including both technical and policy solutions. The agenda will also include selected major facility case studies representing successful security upgrade programs. Participants in this invitation-only event will include leaders from academe, the Federal Facilities Council, Federal/State/Local government and private-sector security experts.


Please visit the proceedings page for this event.

2008 Homeland Security Symposium "Fostering Public Private Partnerships"

General Russel Honore who led the National Guard response to Hurricane Katrina has said, "We need the partnering between local, state, and federal governments; but the biggest partner should be industry...because people in industry, if they understand the problems, can take them on as business opportunities."

To foster the development of public-private-partnerships, this event program illuminates successful public-private partnerships at the local, regional, and national level as models and considers steps to develop and improve future public-private partnerships. The program includes presentations by recognized experts from government and industry engaged in operating and securing critical infrastructures. We encourage the participation of academe, Federal/State/Local government agencies, private-sector companies, industry associations, and standards organizations.

See the 2008 Symposium website for details!

Click here for info on the 2008 Proceedings.

 

 

2007 Homeland Security Symposium
"Cascading Infrastructure Failures: Avoidance and Recovery"

No critical infrastructure is self-sufficient. The complexity inherent in the interdependent nature of infrastructure systems complicates planning and preparedness for system failures. Recent wide-scale disruption of infrastructure on the Gulf Coast due to weather, and in the Northeast due to electric power network failures dramatically illustrate the problems associated with mitigating cascading effects and responding to cascading infrastructure failures once they have occurred.

The major challenge associated with preparedness for cascading failures is that they transcend system, corporate, and political boundaries and necessitate coordination among multiple, disparate experts and authorities. The symposium brings together concerned communities including government and industry technical and policy principals with experience in cascading infrastructure failures. The forum is designed to illuminate best practices for avoiding and responding to cascading failure contingencies created by natural, accidental, or malicious infrastructure debilitation.

Please visit the wrap up page for this event.

The 2006 Spring Research Symposium, "Homeland Security: Engaging the Frontlines"

Despite billions of dollars invested in infrastructure security and the issuance of several major national strategy documents on the subject, the message is not getting to many organizations and people at the grass roots level who can make the most difference in preventing attacks, protecting systems, and recovering from catastrophic events, viz. the general citizenry, private infrastructure owners, and local governments.

James Madison University, in cooperation with the Federal Facilities Council, illuminates and presents efforts and new ideas to strengthen this base. Central issues are:

• How do we create a strong awareness at the grass roots level concerning threats and effective prevention, protection, and response approaches?
• What incentives are needed to engage those directly responsible for critical infrastructure systems to take prudent action?

Experts in both technology and policy will discuss their ideas and research to inspire grass-roots solutions. A cross section of federal, state, and local officials as well as industry, academia and citizenry will collaborate in presentations and panel discussions.

The 2006 Symposium was held at the National Academy of Sciences on May 12, 2006. To experience the Symposium, please visit the proceedings page.

The 2006 Symposium Proceedings are available online (4.5MB) or hardcopy (email your request).