GovSec 2012GovSec Conference focuses on key security challenges

Conference features keynote speaker Sen. George Mitchell // Source: hlswatch.com

This year’s annual GovSec Security Conference and Expo aims to train the nation’s law enforcement officials on how to tackle the most pressing national security threats facing the United States.

“Law enforcement agencies around the country have a great desire to keep their leadership and officers apprised of the latest techniques and strategies, but tight budgets often limit their ability to send their staff to all the training sessions they’d like,” said Don Berey, GovSec’s event director, in a statement. “We’ve designed the program for GovSec and the U.S. Law Enforcement Conference to address law enforcement training needs.”

According to Berey, the three-day event will focus on counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and cybercrime. With more than 100 educational sessions led by industry executives, policy experts, and government officials, attendees will have the opportunity to learn key skills like using social media to combat terrorism, mentally preparing for a suicide bomb attack, and the best methods to employ for radiation detection before and after a disaster.

Headlining this year’s event are Ralph S. Boelter, the assistant director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Gordon M. Snow, the assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, and Gregory B. Jaczko, the chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Boelter will be on hand to discuss the FBI’s top priorities in combating terrorism, while Snow will spend his time explaining the FBI’s continued efforts to develop techniques and tools to prevent cybercrime.

Meanwhile the event’s keynote will feature former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who served as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East. His speech, titled “Turmoil in the Middle East: What it Means for American Security,” will focus on the implications of recent regional developments like the Arab Spring, the Iranian threats to oil shipments, and the ongoing Israel – Palestine conflict.

In addition to the educational sessions, more than 165 companies including Recovery Point Systems, Axis Communications, Identity Stronghold, and Assa Abloy will be on hand to showcase their latest products. Other notable features include free demonstrations of bomb squad robots and K-9 detection teams.

Attendees will also be able to attend sessions at the two co-located conferences, the Contingency Planning & Management Conference and Expo as well as the Network-Centric Security Conference and Exposition.

The event will be held in Washington D.C. from 2 April to 4 April at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.