Working Smart, Not Scared.

Intelligence Community Weighs in on Security as a Business Ethic

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Technology connects us and exposes us. It is critical to have a security plan, and to practice that plan. Employees are a valuable asset, and they need to be trained to look for suspicious behavior. Business leaders must be prepared everyday for the unexpected. The North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA), the primary voice of the technology industry in North Carolina, continues to host premier executive engagement events throughout the state and was commended by more than 200 top executives, global security experts and distinguished government officials on Thursday for taking a proactive look into corporate security as a business ethic during the Five Pillars of Executive Leadership in a Non-Secure World conference, presented by Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor, P.A., at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary.

"NCTA is taking a progressive approach to develop a framework of multi-disciplined experts to provide a public/private partnership to protect critical assets that will ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader," said Dr. Michael Gelles, of Deloitte and Touche, LLP, and keynote speaker during the event.

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.

This model conference is designed with interactive panel discussions that focus on five critical areas of business including business continuity planning, cyber security, intellectual property protection, physical security, and protecting people. The underlying theme is how to prepare and persevere while maintaining corporate stability.

"There is no question that understanding each others equities will better prepare us as a community and a country to address emergency security threats," explained John P. Slattery, Deputy Assistant Director for Counterintelligence, FBI-HQ in Washington, D.C.

"This forum was extremely valuable for government and industry. NCTA has done a great job of assembling an exceptional group of engaged leadership."

Additional presenters included Erik Prince, CEO and Founder of Blackwater USA; Nate Gray, Special Agent in Charge, FBI - NC; Tom Mahlik, Section Chief - CI Strategy and Domain, Counterintelligence, FBI-HQ; Greg Garcia, Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Joe Adamcyk, Project Director, MPRI; Dennis Collins, President, Nuclear Security Services Corporation; 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.; Alan Mason, Vice President and General Manager, News 14 Carolina; Dean Carver, National Counterintelligence Executive, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Tom McWeeney and Larry E. Torrence from the Center for Strategic Management; 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.

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 business leaders the tools and knowledge to help strengthen existing business positions. 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.

NCTA will host two premier events in August. NCTA's Leadership Conference will be on Aug. 15 in Pinehurst and the Annual NCTA/Time Warner Cable Business Class Open Championship will be held the following day at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club. This is an exciting opportunity for business and technology leaders to gather for a day of golf, networking and business development in the serene setting of Pinehurst. An 8:30 a.m. shotgun start commences the golf tournament, which closes with a reception, silent auction to benefit the NCTA Education Foundation. Sponsorship opportunities are available now, contact Jamai Blivin, at 919-633-7972 or [e-mail].

Multimedia

The Conference Agenda is available for download at www.nc-tech.org. News and additional press coverage, photographs and video also are available at www.nc-tech.org.

NCTA Membership

NCTA will host three Membership Orientations and Receptions this year, bringing together members and prospective members from across the state to learn about the benefits of membership and opportunities to get more engaged. These events are free and open to all who are interested. For more information, contact Michelle Calton, Vice President of Membership, at [e-mail] or [phone], ext. 223.

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.