ICSC Conference Educates Attendees, Reinforces Strong Ties to Law Enforcement

Published Jul 12, 2007 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

The International Cargo Security Council (ICSC), the preeminent non-profit organization dedicated to the security of products in transit, recently completed a highly successful conference in San Diego that concentrated on port security issues and showcased the latest tactics and successful strategies currently being used to combat cargo theft.

Highlighting the two-day program were keynotes by Walt Fountain, the Director of Enterprise Security of Schneider National, Inc., and by J. Cofer

Black, former counter-terrorism chief at the U.S. Department of State and Central Intelligence Agency, and now vice chairman of Blackwater USA.

The ICSC also held its annual law enforcement networking luncheon, an event that brings together public- and private-sector security officials for a robust discussion on threats to the supply chain, as well as a roundup of anti-cargo theft operations around the country. Represented were DHS, FBI, CBP, CTIP (Calif. Theft Interdiction Program), CARGOCATS, TOMCATS, and other state and local law enforcement groups.

The ICSC is in the front lines of response to all global security issues and, as such, it also presented sessions on pandemic flu and bio-terrorism and their

effects on supply-chain continuity. George Bressler, of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs Border Patrol, led an informative discussion illuminating the need for critical counter-measures and preparedness to thwart this impending global security threat.

The ICSC also announced the formation of an educational scholarship in the name of its former executive director, Joe Baker, which will be awarded annually to children of ICSC members. Details of the scholarship and the application process will be announced later this summer, and more information can be found at http://www.cargosecurity.com. "The ICSC is committed to giving back to the community in the true spirit of a non-profit," said Executive Director Graham Hauck. "In an industry where there are many organizations to choose from, both non-profit and for-profit, ICSC feels strongly that it should give back to the community of security professionals."

ICSC appreciates the generosity of National Retails Systems for its support of the Law Enforcement Networking Luncheon, and also acknowledges Schneider National, Inc. for its additional commitment to the ongoing success of the ICSC by being a "Chairman's Council" sponsor.

ICSC announced a series of upcoming cargo theft and law enforcement networking roundtables, which will be conducted this fall, the first of which will be held in the New York City area in late September, followed by another in Atlanta and a west coast event to be announced later this summer. For more information, go to http://www.cargosecurity.com, call Graham Hauck at 202.521.6725, or call Vicki Contavespi at 571-438-5766.