'We Must Stay The Course': Interview With Roger Cressey With Dawn Van Zant, Publisher, InvestorIdeas.com

October 15, 2003
Direct link to the article: http://www.technologyreports.net/securefrontiers/ 


Q: First, I would like your opinion on terrorism prior to 911 and was the government at top levels accurately informed about the imminent dangers of terrorism groups? The first introduction of The Homeland Security Strategy Act of 2001 (Introduced in the House) was March 29, 2001 - before September 11th. Looking back was the writing was on the wall of what was to come and what was needed to be done.?

A: The government was fully aware of the threat from al-Qaeda. Since the August 1998 attacks on our embassies in East Africa, a tremendous amount of resources were dedicated to defeating al-Qaeda. Even in the summer of 2001, there was an overwhelming amount of information that al-Qaeda was preparing a spectacular attack against US interests. Unfortunately, the information the USG had pointed to an attack overseas.

Q: The creation of the Department of Homeland Security on January 24th has been called the most significant transformation of the federal government since 1947. Do you agree? Do you think the Department will be changed if the Democrat Party is elected?

A: One of the most difficult things to do in Washington is create a new department, much less force 22 agencies together in a bureaucratic shotgun marriage. Our experience with the Department of Transportation and Department of Energy in the 1970s showed that it takes years for a new Department to be effective. This is the challenge for DHS. Regardless of which party is in the White House, DHS will continue in its current form. There may be some changes but it will not affect the fundamental mission of the Department.

Q: You have stated previously that the US has underestimated Al-Qaeda and their ability to study infrastructure and security - on that note do you view the recent power blackout in August as providing a roadmap for terrorists? How do you feel the situations was handled? And what do you think a group like Al-Qaeda will conclude?

A: The blackout demonstrated yet again how interdependent our society is and how much we rely on technology; a point that is not lost on al-Qaeda and others that wish us harm. I don't think it provided a roadmap, but it will encourage those who view our reliance on information technology as an Achilles heel that can be exploited.

Q: What do you see as the most vulnerable areas of security - and how would you evaluate the implementation of technology and personnel to address those needs in the past two years?
In a recent interview on CNN you addressed gaps in port security and infrastructure - can you expand on that?

A: Since 9/11, we have focused most of our energy on aviation security, which is responding to the last attack. Only a small percentage of cargo that comes into US ports is properly screened. The Department of Homeland Security needs to pay far more attention to what comes into our ports and how it's being screened. On infrastructure, we are far behind in our efforts to analyze our critical infrastructure and the risks posed to it. We need to determine where are the greatest vulnerabilities and use a public-private partnership to remediate these vulnerabilities.

Q: In your advisory position to companies providing solutions to homeland security issues, what do you see as the biggest obstacle for companies trying to sell technology and services to government?

A: Washington is inundated with companies that provide unique point solutions to some of the homeland security challenges. It is very difficult for these companies to get their solutions in front of the decisionmakers. DHS is trying to improve on this, through the efforts of the Department's Science and Technology Directorate, but it will be a long and painful process, at best.

Q: You Currently are on the Advisory Board of Universal Guardian Holdings, a small public company in the sector - how do you see their technologies and services addressing port security?

A: UG provides a very important integrated solution for our securing our critical infrastructure. Information is the key to stopping terrorist attacks and the UG solution brings the necessary information to the decisionmaker is a real time manner. But giving the decisionmaker a holistic view of the security situation, it allows the user to prioritize actions and make the best use of his/her resources. The flexibility of UG solutions across a number of industries - port security, oil and gas infrastructure and border protection - is a great advantage. It scales well, depending on the requirements of the mission.

Q: In a recent interview on CNBC with Commerce Secretary Don Evans it was brought up that we will probably not see the end of terrorism in our lifetime - do you feel that is correct?

A: Absolutely. You can't eliminate terrorism, but you can eliminate many of the root causes that give rise to it.

Q: What is it going to take to eliminate Osama bin Laden, and if he is eliminated - will that really change the complexion of terrorism?

A: Capturing or killing bin Laden is important to the war on terror, but it will only be a small step. The al-Qaeda network and its allies encompasses over 60 countries worldwide. Taking down the leader sends an important signal, but there will be much still to do to eliminate the network and its capability to terrorize.

Q: In respect to the war protestors who advocated a peaceful approach to terrorism and finding the root of the problems and fixing them - is there a realistic alternative to the war on terrorism?

A: The war on terrorism is not just a military war. It is also a war on the root causes of terrorism, including the socio-economic forces that prompt young man to commit themselves to a life of terror. Addressing these causes in the Third World can't be done by military means; it requires diplomacy and international aid.

Q: We see the transition of several government /political figures such as yourself consulting companies in the security sector and Giuliani Partnering with Bear Stearns Merchant Banking - do you see this as a trend? Is this part of successful formula for small companies (who tend to be the innovators) to align themselves with the political know - how to secure contracts and enter the market? What advice in general would you give to companies trying to position themselves in this industry? Since we dedicate our research to investors who follow stocks andcompanies in this sector - are there any public companies in the security and defense sector you own or like?

A: Yes, but I can't tell you! Suffice to say, security solutions providers, be they software or hardware vendors, will continue to do well in the coming years.

Q: In conclusion - looking into the future - in the next 5-10 years - what do you think the biggest unresolved or ongoing issue in security will be?

A: There is no single point. Instead, there needs to be an understanding by the American public that the challenge we face today in Homeland Security will require a sustained effort for years to come. My greatest fear is we lose the focus and don't "stay the course."

Roger W. Cressey is President of Good Harbor Consulting, LLC, advising clients on homeland security, cybersecurity and counterterrorism issues. Previously, Mr. Cressey served as Chief of Staff to the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board at the White House from November 2001 to September 2002. From November 1999 to November 2001, Mr. Cressey served as Director for Transnational Threats on the National Security Council staff, where he was responsible for coordination and implementation of US counter-terrorism policy. During this period, he managed the U.S. Government's response tothe Millennium terror alert, the USS COLE attack and the September 11th attacks.

Prior to his White House service, Mr. Cressey served in the Department of Defense, including as Deputy Director for War Plans. From 1991 - 1995, he served in the Department of State working on Middle East Security issues. He has also served overseas with the US Embassy in Israel and with United Nations peacekeeping missions in Somalia and the former Yugoslavia. While in the former Yugoslavia, he was part of a United Nations team that planned the successful capture of the first individual indicted for war crimes in Croatia.

Mr. Cressey received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell in 1987 and a M.A. in Security Policy Studies from The George Washington University in 1991. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches a graduate course on U.S. counter-terrorism policy. He is a former term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Cressey is the recipient of the State Department's Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards and the Defense Department's Exceptional Civilian Service Award.

This interview originally appeared on InvestorIdeas.com.

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