Many of us marvel at the wonders of the modern Internet and the quickness with which it evolved from its roots as DARPAnet, the Defense Department’s core telecommunications advance in the 1970’s. In just a couple of decades, we went from large main frame computers filling basements to desktop computers that gave millions access to computation, to the World Wide Web that connects almost everyone on the planet via billions of computers and mobile devices. Now, all of us can access almost any information, anytime, and anywhere. These advances have fueled a nationwide and global increase in human productivity, scientific advancement, and social interaction.
We have also become increasingly aware that this aggregation of information and the incredible connectivity to this information is a double-edged sword. Insiders can easily use their access to engage in disruption, denial, data espionage and theft. Outsiders can gain access to our systems by social engineering attacks, insider agents and technical attacks such as viruses, worms, and other malware. Our systems are porous and untrustworthy. In addition, these accesses are being used for fraud, criminal gain, stealing the nation’s intellectual property, or to gain an information advantage in wartime.
I plan to discuss these threats, their implications to our businesses and economic prowess and their implications for our National and Economic Security. In addition, I will discuss some of the ways that government, business associations and enterprises are trying to address and reduce these growing threats.
Speaker Biography
William P. Crowell is a Partner at Also-Louie Partners in San Franciso, which specializes in portfolio companies that serve as the foundation of the emerging Internet ecostructure. He is also an Independent Consultant specializing in Information Technology, Security and Intelligence Systems. He is a director in a number of companies providing data protection and Internet security and has served as Chairman or President and CEO of a number of security services companies until their acquisition.
Prior to his employment in the private sector, Mr. Crowell held a series of senior positions in operations, strategic planning, research and development in the National Security Agency. He served as Deputy Director of Operations from 1991 to 1994 running its core signals intelligence mission. In February 1994 he was appointed as the Deputy Director of NSA and served in that post until his retirement in September 1997. In April 1999, Crowell was appointed to the President’s Export Council (PEC), which advised the administration on trade and export policy.
After 9/11 he served on the Markle Foundation Task Force on National Security in the Information Age, which published three landmark studies on Homeland Security and information sharing. He has also served on numerous panels to investigate and improve military command and control, intelligence and security systems. In August 2007 he was named Chairman of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Senior Advisory Group.
Mr. Crowell is an expert on network and information security issues. In December 2008, Security Magazine selected him as one of the 25 most influential people in the security industry. In May 2007 he co-authored the book, Physical and Logical Security Convergence, published by Elsevier. He has been quoted in many trade and business publications including the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, Information Week, Network World, Computer World, Federal Computer Week, CIO Magazine and the San Jose Mercury News. Crowell has also appeared on CBS MarketWatch, CNET News, CNBC, and The Charlie Rose Show. He was the technical advisor to the TV series, “Threat Matrix” during its run on ABC in the 2003 season.
