PRIVACY & SECURITY IN HOMELAND SECURITY:  ARE WE READY FOR THE DAY BEFORE TOMORROW?

WASHINGTON, DC July 11, 2011 - The Homeland Security and Defense Business Council today released its 11th monograph as part of its “9/10/11 Project,” focusing on the complicated relationship between privacy and security in the homeland security post-9/11 environment.

Once upon a time, people’s privacy was pretty much taken care of by curtains and shades.  Their security, in terms of their physical safety and possessions, was achieved—or attempted to be achieved—with moats, walls, rivers and oceans.  But that was then.  Over the course of the 20th century, culminating in the attacks of September 11, 2001, matters of privacy and security became greatly complicated, immersed in fast and furious cross-currents.  Our country’s desire to successfully balance security and privacy has, in turn, prompted vigorous debates, prompted new laws and regulations, and caused many people to readjust their views on privacy and security, and how the two can best ‘co-exist’ in today’s post-9/11 world.

“As debates continue over the PATRIOT Act reauthorization, cyber security efforts, TSA screening, and information sharing, this monograph provides a brief history of privacy and security in the U.S., and assesses the contribution of the private sector in our nation’s attempt to balance these crucial values,” said Marc Pearl, Council President & CEO. “As a free society that values both privacy and security, partnerships between industry and government must continue to work together to maintain and nurture the proper balance.”  

On the 10th of each month through the fall of 2011, the Council is releasing specific-topic monographs that provide a brief history of our nation’s homeland security efforts on each issue; how far we have come since 9/11, and how industry solution providers and the government have worked together to address that topic.  Each monograph includes a running timeline (interactive on the Council’s website) illustrating the events, incidents, and critical government responses pertinent to that month's topic. 

To view this month's monograph visit: http://www.homelandcouncil.org/the91011projectprivacyandsecurity.html

For more information on the project visit: http://homelandcouncil.org/91011-project.html

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About the Council
The Homeland Security & Defense Business Council is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization of the leading companies that bring homeland security solutions to the marketplace.  The Council works to ensure that the perspective, innovation, expertise and capabilities of the private sector are recognized, respected and integrated with the public sector.  For more information, please visit: www.homelandcouncil.org.

CONTACT:
MELISSA MIDDLESWORTH
(202) 470-6443
mmiddlesworth@homelandcouncil.org

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