White House’s New Cyber-Security Czar to Address San Antonio Conference on Internet Security
I wanted to share this information that my friend Larry Lentz of Lentz Computer Services in San Antonio passed along to me. If you have an interest in Security or an existing background in it, this should be a a worth while event. Since its on Friday, I’m planning to catch the PBS broadcast of the event.
Howard A. Schmidt, who also served Bush 43,
will participate in Texas Lyceum PBS-televised “Great Debate Series”
Our Growing Lives Online: Safe or Not?
(SAN ANTONIO) The person President Obama recently charged with the enormous task of protecting our nation’s public and private computer systems will participate in a televised panel discussion hosted here next month by the Texas Lyceum.
Howard A. Schmidt, appointed last month by President Obama to serve as White House Cyber-Security Czar, has nearly forty years of experience in business, government and law enforcement. Previously, Mr. Schmidt served as the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Security Strategist for online auction giant eBay. Mr. Schmidt also served as the Special Advisor for Cyberspace Security for President George W. Bush, and as the Chief Security Officer for Microsoft Corp. Mr. Schmidt will join the Texas Lyceum’s “Great Debate Series,” Our Growing Lives Online: Safe or Not? in San Antonio on Friday, February 5 from 4 – 6 pm at the Empire Theater, 226 N. St. Mary’s.
The “Great Debate Series,” which marks the 30th anniversary of the non-partisan leadership group, will be televised by KLRN-TV, San Antonio public television station, and re-broadcast statewide on Texas PBS stations. The Great Debate event is open to the public; tickets are $20 at www.texaslyceum.org. Members of the media are invited free of charge, but must also register online.
Along with Mr. Schmidt, other “Great Debate” panelists include CEO of SecTheory Robert Hansen, a leading expert on web application, browser and e-commerce security; JDr. Nicole Beebe, Assistant Professor of Information Systems, UTSA; and Ari Schwartz, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Center for Democracy and Technology.
“We are honored to host such an illustrious group of leaders from the cyber security world, and we look forward to a robust discussion on the myriad Internet security issues facing the public and private sectors,” said Texas Lyceum President John James of Midland. “As we increasingly rely on the Internet to store and communicate information, personal security and identify theft is becoming a growing concern for all Americans,” said James.
“San Antonio’s growing cyber security industry, coupled with the Air Force’s announcement to locate its Cyber Command here, make San Antonio an ideal location to host a conference tackling these issues,” said John Dickson, Lyceum Director, conference coordinator and Principal of the San Antonio-based Denim Group. “We are particularly excited to welcome Howard A. Schmidt, and we look forward to his insights on some of the most compelling cyber security issues facing our country.”
For more information about the Texas Lyceum, the conference and for ticket information, please go to www.texaslyceum.org.
About the Texas Lyceum:
The Texas Lyceum, a non-profit, non-partisan group, is a premier statewide leadership organization focused on identifying the next generation of top Texas leaders. The Lyceum consists of 96 men and women from throughout the state who begin their six-year term while under the age of 46, and have demonstrated leadership in their community and profession, together with a deep commitment to Texas.
In 2009, the Lyceum conducted the third annual Texas Lyceum Poll, an independent survey of Texan’s attitudes about issues facing the state and the nation, and held its 24th Annual Public Conference in Austin entitled: “The 2009 Stimulus Package: What’s in it (or not) for Texas?”
The Lyceum has an impressive list of former members who are serving or have served in public office including: Former President George W. Bush, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Governor Rick Perry, former Texas Comptroller John Sharp, Texas State Senators Rodney Ellis and Kirk Watson, Houston Mayor Bill White, Texas Supreme Court Justices Don Willett and Dale Wainwright, U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and Congressman Pete Olson. Current Directors include Texas Representatives Veronica Gonzales and Marc Veasey.
The Texas Lyceum acts as a catalyst to bring together diverse opinions and expertise to focus on national and state issues, and seeks to emphasize constructive private sector, public sector, and individual responses to the issues.
To accomplish these purposes, the Lyceum conducts periodic public forums, publishes the Lyceum Journal, commissions The Texas Lyceum Poll, and convenes programs for the Directors to explore and discuss key economic and social issues of the state and nation. For more information visit: http://www.texaslyceum.org/.