The Wharton School and ASIS International Introduce Program for Security Executives.

Business Editors/Education Writers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2004

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and ASIS International, the preeminent society for security professionals, have announced the first ever Wharton/ASIS Program for Security Executives. The program stems from months of close collaboration between Wharton faculty and industry experts from ASIS, and will offer core business knowledge from one of the nation's leading business schools to security executives who need to broaden their managerial and strategic perspectives, enhance their business instincts, and sharpen their abilities to tackle management challenges. Two weeks of classes, scheduled for Nov. 28 - Dec. 3, 2004 and Feb. 27 - Mar. 4, 2005, will be held at the Steinberg Conference Center in Philadelphia. One week will be spent on campus; one month will be devoted to applying the learning back at the executive's business; and then a second week on campus will complete the program.

Security risks to corporations and other organizations are greater than ever, but many times these challenges are not reflected in the budget. "We are working on issues such as counterfeiting, grey markets, and employment terminations--all of which address key security and business issues," says Steve Chupa, director of security, Worldwide Security Group, Johnson & Johnson. "We need to understand the directives and strategic objectives of the corporation, and look out for the best interests of the company."

The Wharton/ASIS Program for Security Executives will be taught by many of the same faculty who have made Wharton's MBA program one of the most renowned in the world. Designed for chief security officers as well as managers next in line for future leadership, the program will, among other things, help the security professional:

-- Develop a business vocabulary.

-- Build knowledge in areas of business including finance,

marketing, negotiation, management, and strategy based on

current research and best practice.

-- Understand how operational and financial decisions impact

strategic efforts.

-- Learn how to approach different managerial problems using

value-driven decision-making.

In addition to class work, a one-day exercise in leadership will be conducted at the Gettysburg Battlefield. For more information, go to www.asisonline.org, http://execed.wharton.upenn.edu/4075, or http://execed.wharton.upenn.edu/ebuzz/0404/customprograms.html.

About ASIS International

ASIS International (ASIS) is the preeminent organization for security professionals, with more than 33,000 members worldwide. Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing educational programs and materials that address broad security interests, such as the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits, as well as specific security topics. ASIS also advocates the role and value of the security management profession to business, the media, government entities, and the public. By providing members and the security community with access to a full range of programs and services, and by publishing the industry's number one magazine -- Security Management -- ASIS leads the way for advanced and improved security performance.

About The Wharton School

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized around the world for its academic strengths across every major discipline and at every level of business education. Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school in the nation, Wharton has approximately 4,600 undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral students; more than 8,000 participants in its executive education programs annually; and an alumni network of more than 77,000 worldwide.