Vice Views

Fellow members of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter:

Yesterday, I, along with about 750 other Security Directors, Managers, Consultants, Government and other individuals, attended the 17th Annual Briefing of the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

The briefing, titled “Threats, Crises and Continuity: Managing in Uncertain Times”, included presentations on “Evaluating Threats in Today’s Environment”, “Crisis Planning and Business Continuity”, “Planning for Chemical and Biological Attacks”, and a “World Threat Overview” presented by OSAC’s Research and Information Support Center (RISC) analysts.

The highlight of the day for me though, was the keynote address by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, and a special presentation on Homeland Security by the Director of Homeland Security, Governor Thomas Ridge.

OSAC is a partnership between the American government and the American private sector to increase the security of Americans doing business abroad. It is one of the most effective partnerships between government and the private sector because it works. Members of OSAC receive important, up to date information through reports, briefings studies and other media such as the OSAC website (www.ds-osac.org). Members also have access to Research Information Specialists at the State Department for answers to specific questions and are encouraged to join one of OSAC’s overseas Country Councils, of which there are almost 50.

There are over 2,100 American companies who are members of OSAC. This represents only a small portion of companies in the United States who do business internationally. One of the things Secretary Powell asked of us is for everyone in the room to recruit one new member, to expand the membership so many more companies enjoy the services of OSAC and improve the security of their businesses and employees abroad. He asked that we take his message back to our other security organizations.

Membership in OSAC is free for American businesses. Research and information provided by OSAC is free. The Annual Briefing is free (except for travel costs). This is a highly valuable organization, which provides real information in a timely fashion, so we can make better decisions for our companies and employees. I encourage all of you that are not current members to become members.

Secretary Powell took out full-page ads in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times on November 14th, encouraging American Businesses to join OSAC. In his words, “OSAC works. Please join us. Together, we will do everything possible to make this world one of opportunity safely realized”. Listening to him at the briefing, you knew he meant it.

As always, email comments and feedback are always appreciated.

Sincerely,
Brad Minnis CPP
Vice Chair SFBA Chapter
vicechair@sfasis.org