22 August 2002

TERRORISM EXPERT TO SHOW FAILINGS OF US TERRORISM STRATEGIES AT GLOBAL TERRORISM CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON
US Emphasis Not Geared to Prevent Next US Attack

Source: PR Newswire

Terrorism prevention expert Dr. Saul B. Wilen was one of a select group of “mastermind analysis speakers” who participated in “The Global Summit Exploring Cyber Terrorism and the Infrastructure Targets of Terrorism.” The conference, SECTOR5, was held August 21-23 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington, DC.

The summit gathered the leading minds in cybersecurity, IT security, industry and organizations and government agencies from five critical sectors: transportation; energy; utilities and water; banking and financial services; telecommunications and information services; and vital health, safety and emergency services.

Dr. Wilen spoke Thursday, August 22 , when he joined the team of “mastermind analysis speakers” who critiqued the immediately preceding scenarios titled, “Attack! Outcome,” in which simulated cyber attacks occurred, and their outcomes were explored. They combined visual presentations supported by empirical data to explore potential mass destruction.

“The key point is that such attacks do not have to happen,” Dr. Wilen said. “Through prevention strategies, applying lessons learned and best practices, and evaluating preparedness and performance indicators, terrorist attacks can be prevented.”

Dr. Wilen and his colleagues in terrorism prevention have examined the indicators over the last 11 months and have concluded that states and localities throughout the United States are not prepared to prevent or adequately respond to another terrorist attack.

“The findings are alarming, but the evidence is there,” Dr. Wilen said. “The government’s major emphasis on reaction strategies assumes we must live through the horror of another terrorist attack.”

Dr. Wilen examined how, through using methods of horizontal data integration with its data trending capabilities, the odds of another terrorist attack occurring can be reduced.

In addition to Dr. Wilen, other “mastermind analysis speakers” chosen for the conference are Richard H.L. Marshall, Principle Deputy Director of the Critical Infrastructure Assurance office; Ronald L. Dick, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division; Dr. Dorothy Denning, Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University, and Howard A. Schmidt, Vice Chair of the President’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Board.

Dr. Wilen is President and CEO of International Horizons Unlimited (www.intlhorizons.com) of San Antonio, Texas, a terrorism prevention think-tank and consulting firm. He is a member of the U.S. Secret Service Task Force on Electronic Crimes and Terrorism, the U.S. Department of Commerce Infrastructure Assurance Working Group on Community Preparedness, and a consultant to the Best Practices Institute of the National Governors Association.