DePaul University Conference
Tackles Issues of Cyber-Terrorism's
Threat To Business

 

National Experts in Business, Security, Terrorism and Law Explore Solutions

Does easy access to catastrophic biological and chemical agents pose domestic and international threats? Can security systems and law enforcement protect us from potential intrusions on individual and corporate rights? Have cyber-terrorists compromised the privacy rights of individuals and businesses?

These are just a few issues addressed when a panel of national experts In the areas of business, security, law enforcement, terrorism and the law examined the business implications of terrorism and government anti-terrorism programs at a conference sponsored by the DePaul University College of Law - "Terrorism in Business."

Erik Laykin, President of Online Labs, Inc. and Founder of OnlineSecurity.com stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation and the development of integrated plans for corporate and government security which transcend traditional national border interests. In his remarks he said: "Today's world of ever increasing connectivity between multinational corporations demands that nations take a more proactive role in education in the field of Online Security. What happened in a Chinese factory's computer database last night at the hands of an unscrupulous competitor is now today's news in the boardrooms of Wall Street."

Michael Sheehan, counter-terrorism coordinator for the U.S. State Department, provided the keynote address. He is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing American counter-terrorism policy. His remarks, touched on issues such as: could international terrorism occur in the United States and what the U.S. government is doing to ensure the safety of U.S. businesses abroad.

During an invitation-only, private address by Richard Clarke, (President Bill Clinton's appointee for issues and multilateral affairs for the National Security Council) discussed the type of government programs currently in place to protect business from terrorism and how the government and business community can to prevent terrorist acts in the United States.

"As threats of terrorism escalate, the time is ripe to examine the potential risk they pose to business and what can be done to counter it," said Barry Kellman, a DePaul professor of law DePaul and a nationally recognized legal authority on weapons control and terrorism. "Since terrorist activities could inflict enormous costs, the business community must strengthen its capability to protect itself."

Program co-sponsors included:

The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations;
Chicago Chamber of Commerce
Mid-America Committee
World Trade Center of Chicago
Online Labs / OnlineSecurity.Com
Investigative Group International
National Strategy Forum
Midwest Consortium for International Security Studies
DePaul University College of Commerce


Key presenters included:

  • Erik Laykin, president, Online Labs, Inc.
  • Scott Lassar, 11.5. Attorney, Northern District of Illinois
  • Larry Collins, vice president, Investigative Group International, Inc.
  • MichaeJ J. O'Neil, senior counsel, Center for Democracy and     Technology
  • Lynn Klotz, chair, subgroup on industry concerns, Federation of     American Scientists' Biological and Toxic Weapons Verification Program

  • Schindler, Litigation Partner also from