ASIS International gearing up for annual conference

July 15, 2013
More than 20K security professionals expected to attend seminars on best practices and trends

Alexandria, Va. (July 5, 2013) – The world’s largest educational and networking event dedicated to security—ASIS 2013 (www.asis2013.org)—will bring more than 20,000 security professionals from the private and public sectors to Chicago, IL, Sept. 24–27. The attendees, who are responsible for protecting their organization’s human, cyber, or physical assets, will come from across the U.S. and more than 90 countries to learn about best practices in the industry, identify trends in technology, connect with their peers and see the latest security products and services on display in the exhibit hall. July 20 is the early-bird registration deadline, with a savings for most registrants of $100.

“The world we live in is constantly changing—as are the threats we encounter. Security professionals must continue to hone their skills in all areas and share lessons learned from both high profile incidents such as the Boston Marathon bombing and the common challenges we face every day such as data breaches. There is no better place to do that than at ASIS 2013,” said Geoff T. Craighead, CPP, president, ASIS.

More than 200 education sessions in 24 tracks will be presented along with Pre-Seminar programs, certification classroom reviews, keynotes and general sessions, networking events, and an exhibit floor of 700+ manufacturers, inventors, service providers, and entrepreneurs.

Reflecting the interdependence of information technology and operational security, (ISC)², the largest not-for-profit membership body of certified information security professionals worldwide, will colocate its third annual Security Congress with ASIS 2013. This partnership, which began with ASIS 2011, broadens the scope of the educational programs, offering 80 education sessions for all levels of cyber security professionals within the combined events’ 24 dedicated tracks.

Among the offerings is an expanded Systems Integrator Track, which was well-received when it debuted in 2011 as a way to help integrators better market their services and reinforce their value to current and prospective clients. This year the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) have joined forces with ASIS to provide additional topics of interest to the entire distribution channel.

The International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security (IAHSS), the top organization for healthcare security professionals, is partnering with the ASIS Healthcare Security Council to deliver educational sessions focusing on healthcare security.

Pre-Seminar
Seven intensive Pre-Seminar programs will be offered starting Sun., Sept. 22, with a 2-day session, “Approaches to Resilient Supply Chains and Transportation Networks.” Six additional programs will be held on Mon., Sept. 23.

Certification Reviews
Those pursuing board certification through ASIS (CPP, PCI, PSP) will be able to register for classroom review programs, which will be offered Sept. 22-23, prior to ASIS 2013.

Education Sessions
More than 200 peer-reviewed educational sessions address the full range of up-to-the-minute operational and cyber security topics, critical issues, and security management best practices. Registrants can select sessions from 24 tracks and design a program in line with their interests and career goals. Several sessions will explore topics related to high profile incidents such as the Boston Marathon bombing and Hurricane Sandy.

Keynote Speakers
Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist Steve Wozniak will deliver the first keynote address on Wed., Sept. 25 at 8:00 a.m. The co-founder of Apple Computer helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products, the Apple I and II, and influenced the popular Macintosh.

A unique worldview will be presented Thurs., Sept. 26 at 8:00 a.m. by The Honorable John Winston Howard, the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, who served from 1996 to 2007. As Australia’s second longest serving prime minister, he was known for his pro market economic policies, conservative social policy, and fiscal reforms.

Sports legend Mike Ditka will be the closing luncheon speaker on Fri., Sept. 27 at 12:00 p.m. The Hall-of-Famer will share lessons learned in his time as player, assistant coach, and head coach of the Chicago Bears.

General Sessions
An International Policy Roundtable, “From Victims to Vigilantes: Cyber Security Strategies Going on the Offensive,” will be presented Fri., Sept. 27 at 8:00 a.m. Following that session is “Counterfeiting: From Potions and Lotions to Tractors and Turbines” at 9:30 a.m. The final general session at 11:00 a.m., “The Security Professional As a Trusted Advisor,” will present diverse ways for security professionals to work with the C-suite, as well as deal with territorial challenges.

Exhibits
More than 700 companies will demonstrate the latest in traditional and IT security products and services on the exhibit floor, which opens at 9:00 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 24. Exhibits-only registration is complimentary for security professionals who register in advance by Sept. 20 at 5:00 p.m. CT; $75 for ASIS nonmembers after Sept. 20. A new benefit this year for “Exhibits Only” registrants is free admission to the ASIS keynotes on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, more free education will be delivered in the exhibit hall including in-depth vendor presentations in the Solutions Theater, Poster Sessions, and Tech Trends, which are non-vendor specific 30-minute presentations.