FBI, TSA & Coast Guard officials to provide security updates

Alexandria, VA - 21st century seaports are faced with a seemingly endless list of urgent physical threats, ranging from acts of terrorism, energy supply disruptions and border protection, to smuggling illegal drugs and weapons. Cyber network threats are increasingly concerning since a cyber breach has the potential to allow vessels to be hijacked, pipelines ruptured, cameras blinded, and facility gates left open by individuals operating hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

To address these concerns, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas – will hold its annual Port Security Seminar and Expo in Chicago, July 25-27. Program sessions include panels on maritime cybersecurity, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing challenges and issues related to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), along with an FBI security update and discussions on the federal Port Security Grant program.

The seminar attracts chief security officers from ports throughout the U.S., as well as solution providers from the port service industry.

“This seminar promises to be extraordinary, featuring presentations by port and federal government officials, along with top subject matter experts, delving into newsworthy physical and cyber security implementation and funding issues at America’s ports. We’re particularly pleased to have representatives from the FBI, TSA, Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency on hand to share their perspectives on port security and funding challenges, and what’s being done to address them,” said AAPA Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jean Godwin.