Is Business Ready For 'Black Death?'.

NCTA's Five Pillars Conference Draws Experts in Bioterrorism

RALEIGH, N.C. -- What if the Bubonic Plague was used as a weapon of mass destruction? How would you and your business continue with daily operations in the event of a tragedy? Do you know your role or responsibilities in a crisis such as this? How does a business ensure its employees that it is safe to come to work? The North Carolina Technology Association, (NCTA) the primary voice of the technology industry in North Carolina, has assembled a diverse panel of experts to discuss how to prepare and persevere during a bioterrorism incident such as the plague on Thursday, June 7, at the NCTA Five Pillars of Executive Leadership in a Non-Secure World conference, presented by Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor, P.A., at Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary, N.C.

This model conference is designed with interactive panel discussions that focus on five critical areas of business including contingency planning, cyber security, intellectual property protection, physical security, and protecting people. This particular portion spotlights contingency planning for a bioterrorism incident and features John Tuohey, Senior Director, Sierra Nevada Corporation; Tim Rigg, Director of Corporate Security at Progress Energy; Dr. Barbara Bisset, Executive Director of Emergency Services Institute at WakeMed; Brig. General Iwan Clontz of the N.C. National Guard; Russell Nelson, Special Agent in Charge - Charlotte Division, U.S. Secret Service; Timothy Stranahan, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI - Charlotte; Roland Cloutier, Chief Security Officer, EMC Corporation; Dean Barclay, Associate, Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor, P.A.; and Phil Bond, President and CEO, Information Technology Association of America (ITAA).

Joan Myers, President and CEO of NCTA, a 2004-2005 Eisenhower Fellow studying cyber security and cyber terrorism, will be the moderator for this panel. "The participants on this panel are purposely diverse bringing together a plethora of expertise and experience to develop an interactive, thought-provoking session," Myers explains. "Is the plaque unthinkable? Perhaps. But, remember that some people thought 9/11 and Katrina were unthinkable scenarios. Preparing for the worst allows us to work for the best."

Additional expert presenters include: Dean Carver, National Counterintelligence Executive, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Tom McWeeney and Larry Torrence from the Center for Strategic Management; Dr. Michael Gelles, of Deloitte and Touche, LLP; Nate Gray, Special Agent in Charge, FBI - NC; Tom Mahlik, Section Chief - CI Strategy and Domain, Counterintelligence, FBI-HQ; John Slattery, Deputy Assistant Director for Counterintelligence, FBI-HQ; Greg Garcia, Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Mark Moorman, Advisor, Office of the CTO at SAS Institute; Mike Ferris, Product Manager for Red Hat Security Solutions; and Stuart McIrvine, Director, Corporate Security Strategy at IBM - plus many more.

Participants will have an unmatched opportunity to network with respected security professionals from all over the world and evaluate cutting-edge technologies and techniques to strengthen corporate sustainability. Security and vulnerability remains a top concern for senior management and other C-level executives as the explosion of wireless devices, e-enabled applications, and advanced global systems puts data in the hands of more people in more places than ever. NCTA has been collaborating with the FBI for the last seven years to address security and intellectual property protection at all levels of business with the goal to provide you the tools and knowledge to help strengthen your existing business position.

Experts in the intelligence community have praised the previous Five Pillars conference held earlier this year in Charlotte, adding that the subject matter, quality of speakers, and format has the potential to be a model program for the entire country. Past speakers have included H. Keith Melton, international spy expert and best-selling author of The Ultimate Spy, Associate Executive Director of the National Security Branch of the FBI Philip Mudd, and David Szady, senior vice president, Perot Systems Government Services and former assistant director of counterintelligence for the FBI.

Registration and Sponsorship

Registration is $100 for NCTA members, $125 for non-members, with tables of 10 available at $850. Registration and prepayment is required for this particular event. Reservations are non-refundable, but are transferable by calling the NCTA main office at [phone]. Registration forms are available for download at www.nc-tech.org. Please fax registrations to [phone]. This conference also presents a valuable opportunity to personally engage and promote your company in front of hundreds of top decision makers, distinguished government officials and global security experts. For more details on registration or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joan Myers: [phone] or email at [e-mail]

About NCTA

The North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) is a not-for-profit, membership-driven trade association and the primary voice of the technology industry in North Carolina. NCTA is the intersection of leadership and technology, fueling the growth of North Carolina through Executive Engagement, Public Affairs, and a Knowledge Workforce. For more information, visit our website at www.nc-tech.org.