by Brianna Crandall — April 4, 2014—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate and global security organization ASIS International (ASIS) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will enable ASIS members and vendors see what the DHS identifies as today’s critical issues in terms of technology for risk mitigation and infrastructure security, and the security gaps they’re seeing throughout the country, and will help manufacturers focus research and development efforts.
The agreement stipulates how DHS will work in partnership with ASIS to communicate the agency’s capability gaps, technology requirements, and outreach opportunities to its vendor and member communities in an effort to provide state-of-the-art technological capabilities to its operating components and the nation’s first responders.
“As facilitator of the ASIS International Annual Seminar and Exhibits, one of the world’s largest exhibitions dedicated to security technologies and products, ASIS is in an advantageous position to serve as a conduit between DHS and more than 700 security industry manufacturers,” stated Richard E. Widup, Jr., CPP, ASIS president. “Our expansive exhibitor community plus our substantial membership body make ASIS ideally suited to support and expand the scope of DHS awareness into the private sector.”
In the coming months, DHS will work with ASIS to actively communicate its public outreach activities using a broad spectrum of forums such as speaking engagements, technology demonstrations, social media platforms, e-mails, and Webinars. These venues will be utilized to provide detailed information on DHS priorities, operations, and opportunities for potential partnership.
Representatives of DHS will be on-site to meet face-to-face with leading security technology innovators at the ASIS International 60th Annual Seminar and Exhibits, September 29 to October 2, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Georgia World Congress Center.
