Keynote - Bradley Lide - InfraGard Community Outreach Program
The InfraGard Community Outreach Program (ICOP) is intended to help educate the communities within which we live on how to spot and report suspicious activity, how to be vigilant, how to have a secure workplace environment, and how to live a more secure life. InfraGard is a FBI sponsored organization that has over 27,000 members nationwide, comprised mostly of IT and Physical security experts. In recent years, the Office of Homeland Security and the FBI have looked towards InfraGard to help promote security awareness
The objective of this program is to leverage the service workers in our communities to act as an alert network, providing them with the education and awareness to identify and report suspicious activity. Cable installers, meter readers, security alarm technicians, mailmen, neighborhood groups, etc can be a great resource as they travel our neighborhoods on a weekly if not daily basis. Also, companies that provide service to the business community; telecommunications, water delivery, document management and shredding, FedEx and UPS, all can be a first line of alert for suspicious activity. Providing the education on how to identify and categorize suspicious behavior, as well as a way to report that activity, will establish a strong network of groups that will be looking out for our communities. By utilizing an established state-wide reporting system, such as the TN Fusion Center, all suspicious activity can be reported to one source for ease of reporting.
We have prepared a 20 minute PowerPoint, as well as a video produced by the Department of Homeland Security that we present to help in the understanding of how education and awareness can help prevent a catastrophe. We also have brochures to leave behind with business card sized punch-outs that contain Fusion Center contact info for reporting of suspicious activity.
We usually have 2 people doing the presentation, one from InfraGard and one from either Homeland Security or the FBI, depending on availability. We like to allow at least 45 minutes for the subject matter presentation, and an additional 15 minutes for questions from the crowd. We have has requests from some companies to integrate this program into their regular employee continuing education and training. We also know that many companies have employees at multiple locations, or operate multiple shifts. Presentations to multiple groups or locations within an organization are expected for larger companies.
As InfraGard is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, we appreciate a minimal donation for each presentation, usually $250.00, to cover our expenses of brochures and handouts, and the donation is completely tax free. However, we do not turn down requests to present based on donation size or lack thereof. Our mission is to spread the word of security awareness to help safeguard our communities.
Additional information can be obtained by emailing CTSM at ctsm@murraystate.edu.
