NASCO Hosts Security Summit

May 29, 2007 4:18 PM

           

The National Association of Security Companies (NASCO), the nation's largest contract-security trade association representing firms employing nearly 450,000 security officers, held the 2nd Annual NASCO Annual Contract Security Summit Hill Day in Washington, D.C., May 15-16.

Developed to facilitate networking among contract security executives and their federal counterparts, the two-day program brought together more than 75 CEOs, presidents, vice presidents and owners from national and regional contract security companies with Congressional leaders, representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS).

Participants were welcomed by Congressman Dave Reichert (R - 8th District-Wa.), from the House Homeland Security Committee with more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. He emphasized the importance of contract security officers as the "eyes and ears" of the nation and improving the government's understanding and use of this "important resource" focusing on information-sharing and relationship-building to improve communications.

Congressman Reichert was followed by Rear Admiral James Plehal, business liaison, Private Sector Office of the Department of Homeland Security. The Admiral called for industry to develop best practices and standards before "government is required to step-in" to improve performance and compliance. He discussed successful public-private initiatives built on "local relationships" and outlined key challenges including:
* integrating with local first-responders;
* building a "business case" for security;
* leveraging technology and;
* turnover and training.

The Summit also included presentations on the Homeland security market by former DHS Chief of Staff Duncan Campbell; evolving national infrastructure policy issues from analyst Evan Wolff; accessing FBI criminal records by Todd Commodore from CJIS and a panel focused on regulatory and policy trends with representatives from the California Association of Licensed Security Agencies, Guards and Associates (CALSAGA) and The Heritage Foundation.

The second day began with a welcome from Congressman Dan Lungren (R - 3rd District-Calif.), from the House Homeland Security Committee, who expressed concern regarding the "complacency" that has set in around the country regarding the terrorist threat. He emphasized contract security's role as a "key layer of security for detection and response" and his efforts to open competition at airports and other federal facilities that "reward the best, most flexible option, commercial or government."

The second day also included presentations on liability, labor issues and an update on the SAFETY Act. Following the conclusion of the program, most attendees participated in 15 scheduled Capitol Hill meetings with key Senate and House leaders and staff to generate increased awareness of the important role of contract security and the industry's focus on raising licensing, training, performance and compliance standards.

In addition, the NASCO Board met with representatives from the: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee regarding contract security's continued role supporting government security at federal and military facilities; House Homeland Security Committee regarding NASCO's recent testimony regarding its relationship with the Federal Protective Service (FPS) compliance issues and improving performance and compliance; House Judiciary Committee on crime, terrorism and Homeland Security on access to FBI criminal records checks through the Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2004 (PSOEAA).

"These meetings will produce results," says NASCO executive director Joseph Ricci. "NASCO is investing resources to strengthen our relationships on the Hill in our continued efforts to open new markets, support existing markets, advocate for the important role of security officers and develop relationships with federal agencies, departments and other organizations influencing the private security industry."

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