Homeland Defense Journal Training Workshop™

3rd Annual Fusion Center and Information Sharing Strategies Conference

July 8-9, 2009
Arlington, VA

Please read important location information here

*This Conference is sold out. Please note that we will not be accepting any on-site or walk-in registrations for this Conference.

With Keynote Speaker Robert Riegle, Director, State and Local Government, Program Office, Office of Intelligence & Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Don't miss our Intelligence Analyst Training Workshop. Register for both and save $100! See registration for details

"Well organized and very informational" - Security Specialist

"Different talents and different skill sets everywhere you look." - Matthew Noll, DHS

"Excellent conference, very educational and good people were involved" - Barry Spellman, Verint Systems

 

Registration & Continental Breakfast: 7:30 am
Program Starts: 8:30 am
Wrap-Up: 3:00 pm

About this Workshop:

Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, multiple commissions and the Federal Government determined that one of the critical factors that led to the attacks was the inability of federal, state, local and other law enforcement activities to collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence information. It is widely accepted that the indicators were there but were not recognized or shared in a timely manner. . Our nation’s need to reorganize our intelligence capabilities has resulted in over 40 federally funded regional, state and local fusion centers across the country to act as our nation’s eyes and ears in the war against terror.

As of February 2009, there were 58 fusion centers around the country. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, has deployed 31 intelligence officers as of December 2008 with plans to have 70 additional professionals deployed by the end of 2009. DHS has provided more than $327 million from FY 2004-2009 to state and local governments to support t fusion centers.

The goal of fusion centers is to prevent manmade threats and to respond to natural disasters as effectively and efficiently as possible. The ability to integrate multiple streams of intelligence, gathered not only from federal, state and local government agencies, but also the private sector and local citizenry, allows a more accurate and comprehensive picture of risks to people, infrastructures and our communities. The goal of this integrated approach to intelligence gathering is to synthesize the information and translate it into protective action.

There is no one “model” for fusion centers and how they should be structured and operated. There is little guidance or a nationwide consensus on the role of a fusion center in the war on terror or in the fight against crime. Consequently, fusion centers nationwide have varied priorities and roles from state and local law enforcement. These priorities and roles range from counter-narcotics, criminal intelligence and counterterrorism creating an all-crimes and all-hazards approach to intelligence analysis and fusion. A Congressional report stated that there is little “true fusion” or analysis of disparate data sources, identification of intelligence gaps or pro-active collection of intelligence against those gaps which could prevent protective action from being taken.

The 3rd Annual Fusion Center and Information Sharing Strategies Conference will bring together government officials, emergency responders, security personnel and the private sector to address the issues of fusion centers information sharing. Attendees will hear experts discuss the role of fusion centers and hear first hand from “model” fusion centers that have clear operational and technical capabilities. Speakers will provide insight into the functions, operations and the role of technology in the fusion center and how the three must be integrated for effective information sharing. Speakers will discuss best practices, new trends, tools, technologies, SARS, baseline capabilities, and processes that can help fusion center stakeholders improve information and intelligence sharing and collaboration across all levels of government and private industry.

What You Will Learn:

  • Methods of integrating disparate intelligence information
  • The effective use of career intelligence officers
  • Strategies to consolidation selected fusion centers and the cost/benefit trade-offs
  • Use of an all hazards approach vs. specific criminal activity
  • Interpreting and applying existing Federal guidelines
  • What are the Funding sources for fusion centers
  • What are the Training and technology needs for fusion centers
  • Analysis of civil liberties and privacy concerns
  • Fusion center best practices
Who Should Attend:
  • Federal, state and local security planners involved with fusion centers or information sharing
  • Fusion center directors and analysts
  • Services and product providers who wish to learn about federal programs, grants and funding for fusion centers
  • Executive, senior, project management, and technical staff involved with fusion centers
  • Homeland Security Officials
  • First Responders
  • Local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement

Agenda:

WED

7:30-8:30 am

Registration/Continental Breakfast, Sponsored by Government*Horizons Global, Inc.

8:30-8:45 am

Kim Hovda, Conference Director, Government*Horizons Global, Inc.

8:45-9:30 am

Jeff Wobbleton, Director, Washington Regional Terrorism Threat and Analysis Center “Fusion Centers and Major Events”

9:30-10:15 am

Jack Israel, Chief Technology Officer, Federal Bureau of Investigation "Some Thoughts on Improving Fusion"

10:15-10:45 am

Break

10:45-11:15 am

Keynote: Neill Sciarrone, Director, Cyber & Information Sharing, BAE Systems, “Fusion Center Challenges – Moving Forward”

11:15-12:00 pm

Harry McDavid, CIO, Operations, Homeland Security Information Network "Benefits of HSIN Upgrade to State and Local Users"

12:00-1:30 pm

Lunch: Sponsored by BAE Systems

1:30-2:15 pm

Bobbie Atristain, Senior Applications Developer, Virginia Department of Emergency Management “The VA Interoperability Picture for Emergency Response”

2:15-3:00 pm

Lieutenant Thomas Kohlmann, Commander, Homeland Security/Intelligence MCAC Watch Commander, Anne Arundel County Police Dept. “Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center”
3:00-3:30 pm David J. Pyle, Deputy Director, Homeland Security & Law Enforcement Support, Office of the Director of National Intelligence “Fusion Centers- An ODNI Perspective”

3:30 pm

Conference Adjourns Day One

THUR

7:00-8:00 am

Registration/Continental Breakfast, Sponsored by Government*Horizons Global, Inc.

8:00-8:45 am

W. Ross Ashley, Assistant Administrator of the Grants Program Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S., Department of Homeland Security "How DHS Preparedness Grant Programs Support State and Local Fusion Center Activities"

8:45-9:30 am

Mike German, Policy Counsel, National Security and Privacy, ACLU Washington Legislative Office “Fusion Centers: Progress and Pitfalls”

9:30-10:00 am

 Captain William Harris, Delaware State Police "Fusion Center Resources: How Global Products Can Assist With Fusion Center Development and Operations"

10:00-10:30 am

Break

10:30-11:00 am

Paul Wormeli, Executive Director, IJIS Institute “National Priorities for Information Sharing”

11:00-11:30 am

Thomas O'Reilly, Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice “Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative”

11:30-12:00 pm

Keynote Robert Riegle,  Director, State and Local Program Office, Office of Intelligence & Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland Security “The Future of Fusion Centers”

12:00 pm

Conference Adjourns

*Agenda is subject to change

Sponsors:

Corporate Sponsors:
American Military University
   
BAE Systems is the premier global defense, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $34.4 billion in 2008.
   
The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting the goals of saving lives and protecting property during emergencies and disasters.
   
The Surface Transportation and Public Transportation Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ST/ PT ISAC) is a private industry sponsored entity that provides its members with 24/7 expert physical and cyber incident analysis and threat warnings produced by transportation security Subject Matter Experts.  The ST/PT ISAC acts as an information clearinghouse to collate private industry, government, and open source intelligence and incident reporting.  This information is then analyzed and sanitized for anonymity by Security Analysts to produce and disseminate sector-specific threat and vulnerability profiles, security best-practices, and actionable security recommendations.  For more information, visit http://www.surfacetransportationisac.org
   
Visual Analytics Inc. (VAI) is a veteran-owned, privately-held company based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area providing proactive analytical, decision support, and information sharing solutions in commercial and government marketplaces throughout the world for investigating money laundering, financial crimes, narcotics, terrorism, border security, embezzlement, and fraud.
 
Verint Communications Interception & Analytics Solutions help communications service providers and law enforcement, national security, and intelligence agencies neutralize threats from criminals and terrorists. The company’s systems collect, filter and analyze voice and data on traditional and advanced communications networks. Solutions are designed for compliance with ETSI, CALEA and other regional and country-specific lawful interception regulations and standards.
 
Media Sponsors:
Homeland Defense Journal is the first and most trusted independent monthly magazine dedicated exclusively to covering issues of critical importance to U.S. homeland security and defense. Each month, the industry’s leading journalists and experts provide in-depth coverage and analysis of programs, projects, new initiatives, government funding and innovative products that help keep America safe, strong and secure.

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Become A Sponsor:

Sponsorship opportunities are now closed.

Registration Fee:

Intelligence Analyst Training and Fusion Centers Conference Deal
Government (Federal, State/Local)
Small Business
Large Business
  • Both Events - Save $100!

$1078

$1248

$1448
  • Intelligence Analyst Training Workshop Only (July 6-7)

$679

$749

$849
  • 3rd Annual Fusion Center and Information Sharing Strategies (July 8-9)

$499

$599

$699

Registration Options:

This Conference is sold out. Please note that we will not be accepting any on-site or walk-in registrations for this Conference.

Registrations are payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, company check or government purchase order.

CANCELLATION POLICY: You may designate a substitute in writing any time before the event. Cancellation requests must be sent in writing (email or fax) and will be subject to a $100 processing fee. No cancellations or transfers are accepted within 2 (two) weeks prior to the event start date or later. PLEASE NOTE: No shows will be liable for the entire registration fee. In the rare occasion that an event is cancelled or postponed, please note our reimbursement is limited to paid tuition only.

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Homeland Defense Journal has the right to refuse registration to any attendee at any time.

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Contact Us:

  • For registration information, please contact Customer Service at 703-412-9287 x222
  • For government speaking and best practices presentation opportunities, please contact

FAQ / Info:

Location:

The conference will be held at:

4075 Wilson Blvd.
9th Floor
Arlington, VA 22203

This building is approximately two blocks from the Ballston Metro station (Orange Line).  Ample parking is available at the Ballston Commons Mall, located directly across from the facility.  There is also public parking available in and around the Conference location.

We have reserved a block of rooms at the The Westin Arlington Gateway hotel which is located near to the conference facility.  Please indicate you are with Homeland Defense Journal and will attend the Fusion Center Conference to receive the Government rate. The phone number for the hotel is 703-717-6200. You may also use the Booking Link to reserve a room.

Another nearby hotel is Hilton Arlington - 703-528-6000

There are now some important security elements of which you need to be aware.  The following highlights some of these:

  • Cell phones or laptops with camera/video capability will NOT be allowed in the Conference facility
  • You will be issued an identification badge during the registration which MUST be worn at all times  while in the building.
  • If you need to be reached during the Conference, please instruct your callers to call the Message Center receptionist at (703) 387-2200.  A guest phone is located in the office next to the Conference room and the lobby for your use should you need to return any phone calls.

A page of important and helpful information is attached here.  Please read this to become familiar with the attributes and guidelines while a guest in this facility.

*Additional security requirements will be provided under separate cover on or about Monday, June 29, 2009.

 

Marketing, Conference Management and Production by:

Homeland Defense Journal, Inc.
1421 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 710
Arlington, VA 22202
703-412-9287

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