Contingency Planning Exchange’s Washington DC Chapter launch meeting

The inaugural meeting of Contingency Planning Exchange’s new Washington DC Chapter took place on May 22. Continuity Central’s reporter at the event describes what took place:

John DiNuzzo (Bank of America) chaired the conference, assisted by Roseann McSorley (Deutsche Bank). Keynote speaker was Dick Andrews, senior director for Homeland Security at NC4, who told the delegates that the opportunities to build partnerships and alliances for integrating the public and private sectors are many, and need leadership to achieve the best possible results.

The next speakers were Richard Cooper of the Department of Homeland Security’s Private Sector Office, and John Gullickson, who works for the White House Homeland Security Council. Their remarks focused on how DHS and the White house are working to provide opportunities for public and private sector initiatives in security and business continuity.

Next was a panel discussion on port security, chaired by Elaine Dezenski, most recently the Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning, DHS. Panelists included Admiral James Loy, currently a senior counselor with The Cohen Group, and formerly Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security in the early formative days of DHS; Steve Lamar, Senior Vice President of the American Apparel & Footwear Association; and Kathleen Kraninger, on the staff of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Each offered a unique first-hand perspective on the issues and concerns associated with the movement of good through the country’s port system.

A lively discussion on what is being done to prepare for an avian influenza pandemic followed, and was chaired by Andrew Rahaman, of the Federal Reserve. Panelists included James Caverly, DHS Infrastructure Partnerships Division; Alton Harvey, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Gregg Pane, M.D., Medical Director for the District of Columbia.

There is still a growing concern that the country will not be adequately prepared for an avian flu outbreak, especially if the Type H5N1 virus mutates to a form that can be transmitted among humans.

Among the key issues addressed were how to operate with reduced staffs, how to maintain productivity at acceptable levels, and what to do when people want to return to work.

Cyber security was the next topic, as discussed by Paul Kurtz, executive director of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA). Despite all the safeguards currently in place in both public and private sectors, the concern is that the number of potential threats is increasing, and the perpetrators are smarter and more resourceful than ever. Even with all the current legislation, such as the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), much still needs to done to protect our critical infrastructures from unauthorized access.

Ann Beauchesne, Executive Director of the Homeland Security Division, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told the group about how the Chamber has recognized the critical importance of business continuity and crisis management, and is providing a broad range of services and information resources to facilitate the process.

The closing speaker was James Pavitt, currently a principal of The Scowcroft Group, and formerly the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) at the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Pavitt summarized the previous remarks, and challenged the delegates to engage in the debate, take advantage of all the resources in place to strengthen the nation’s resilience, and to break down the barriers that have traditionally existed between the public and private sectors.

Reporter’s analysis
After sitting through this five-hour marathon, I came away with the realization that there are dozens of like-minded agencies, associations, think tanks, discussion groups, committees, and others that are, in one way or another, all moving in essentially the same direction. There was a lot of discussion about the need to engage both public and private sector organizations in debate. Many standards, recommendations, regulations, and other guidance exist in this country. Most of it is aimed in the same direction. The problem is that there is simply too much debate going on; and very little to focus it, move it into generally agreed-upon directions, and (most of all) aim it at a strategic direction, or end game.

The word ‘partnership’ was overused, and it got difficult to listen to the latter two-thirds of the speakers because one knew instinctively how the message would be framed.

I compare our efforts to date with what the UK has been able to do, and that is to identify an end game, focus all available resources on it, and achieve the goal of formalizing the relationship between public and private sector organizations via the Civil Contingencies Act.

I’m not sure how this country could achieve what the UK has done, especially given our culture based on independence and freedom of speech. We must learn to shed our mantles of independence and free speech (and our egos) and enter the discussion prepared to work collectively for a common goal, despite our differences. This is probably the biggest challenge – and roadblock – to our ability to achieve a common focus on the issues of business continuity, security and emergency management.

•Date: 26th May 2006• Region: US • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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