Esperon to keynote Protect 2017

MANILA, Philippines -  Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., national security adviser and director-general of the National Security Council, will deliver the keynote address at Protect 2017 international conference and exhibition slated for March 29-30.

The Protect series was launched in 2005 by Leverage International (Consultants) Inc. in partnership with the Anti-Terrorism Council (formerly the Anti-Terrorism Task Force). This is the only government-private sector partnership devoted to security in the country.

This year’s Protect conference series on “Doing Business Amidst New Threats” focuses on cyber security, terrorism, significant geo-political developments and other threats to security of business. The theme of the event is “Innovations for a Safer Environment.”

Protect 2017 brings together stakeholders to share concerns, responsibilities and solutions to ensure uninterrupted business operations and safety of critical infrastructures.

To address the sector’s concerns during the conference are experts from key agencies of government responsible for security, together with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Microsoft, FireEye, Aon Risks Solutions, Thales, Dahua Technology, Oracle Vision Technology, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, Rappler, KPMG, (ISC)² and others.

Maria Ressa, managing editor of Rappler will chair and facilitate a panel discussion on Global Security and Political Developments Affecting Security. The panel includes former secretary Rafael Alunan III, Prof. Richard Heydarian, former PNRI director Alumanda Dela Rosa and Prof. Rohan Gunaratna from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Major technological innovations affecting security will be discussed by experts from Microsoft, Rappler, KPMG and GE. How to comply with the Data Privacy Act will be discussed by Dondi Mapa, deputy privacy commissioner. The National Security Program will be presented by asst. security Allan Cabanlong of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

There will be a panel discussion on Overcoming Security Threats chaired by Angel Redoble, chairman and founding president of the Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals. Constituting the panel are officials of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Microsoft, Oracle and Cybersecurity Phil Cert ®.

Other security threats will be discussed by senior officials of Thales, IPOPHIL, Philippine National Police, PDEA and other relevant government agencies with former ATC coordinator Ricardo Blancaflor. Big data, risk analysis and national security, insurance and risk solutions will be discussed by Steve Cutler of Guide Meridian and Andrew Minnitt of AON.

The session ends with forecasts on natural and man-made security threats by an expert from FireEye, Dr. Lagmay (DOST), Dr. Gunaratna and Maj. Gen. Molina (AFP). To deliver the closing address will be presidential adviser for anti-terrorism Gen. Benjamin Defensor from the Anti-Terrorism Council.

A highlight of the event is a specialized exhibit to showcase the latest security technologies.