As we approach our 2nd Annual InfraGard Congress & Conference (Dallas, Texas, Sept. 24-28, 2017), security risks and continuity resilience continue to occupy our private and public sector entities. This year’s theme of “Turning Risk into Resilience” captures the essence of our efforts in InfraGard. Once we identify the risks, we must mitigate them through established and continual resilience. We have a fantastic conference program planned with top-flight speakers and presentations, something that none of you will want to miss!
We have our own host hotel this year, the Hilton Anatol in Dallas, and Monday, Sept. 25th will be the InfraGard Host Night Texas BBQ, with Keynote Speaker Dr. William Forstchen, author of One Second After, One Year After & The Final Day.
On Thursday, Oct. 28th, you will be able to participate in a 4-hour DHS-facilitated Business Continuity table-top exercise, which will be a great learning experience that will provide practical information, and steps you can take back to your companies and organizations.
We have a lot of exciting new programs coming that will be unveiled at Congress, continuing to provide more services to our members.
More than any other public-private sector organization, InfraGard is better able to address risks associated with interdependencies due to our cross-sector focus of ALL 16 critical infrastructure sectors. InfraGard’s real value is through information exchange — member to member, government to member, member to government — sharing threats, warnings, lessons learned and best practices. We can’t rest until we have comprehensive preparedness and resilience for America!
This edition highlights international terrorist financing, which offers an insight into the dark world of illegal money movement. The article conveys the clear and present danger and risks we are confronted with by people intentionally and unintentionally funding terrorism. Like any other crime, it’s all about the money, as no group can continually succeed without funding. Where are they getting the money? Much of it is from smuggling black market oil to willing buyers, transactions that are difficult to access. Throughout the Mideast to Eastern Europe and China, criminals and terrorists are smuggling and trafficking humans, cigarettes, weapons and other contraband. Even here in the United States they are selling untax-stamped cigarettes, synthetic marijuana, etc., all with a fair amount of coordination or control by international criminal organizations (ICOs). This is another area where InfraGard and our members can make a difference.
In addition to this, this issue provides successful tips for conducting events, courtesy of the San Diego IMA, and an introduction to the Insider Threat Special Interest Group (SIG).
Local leadership is the driving force and essential element in expanding the reach, content, education and training opportunities to our members. We have many committees at the national level that can benefit from your participation and perspective, so I encourage you to join the committee that your experience and energy would enhance.
Thanks for all you do, and if I can be of assistance let me know. I look forward to seeing you in Dallas!
Regards,
Gary Gardner