The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)

General Information

The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was established in 1985 by the U.S. Department of State to foster the exchange of security related information between the U.S. Government and the U.S. private sector operating abroad. Administered by the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture for effective security cooperation. Through OSAC, the American private sector, including colleges and universities, receives timely information on which to make informed corporate decisions on how best to protect their investments, facilities, personnel and intellectual property abroad.

Professional security officers of the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service lead the OSAC program overseas. During meetings of overseas OSAC Councils, member share information on local and regional security issues.

Our Hong Kong OSAC objectives are:

• To establish continuing liaison and to provide for operational security cooperation between the State Department and the U.S. private sector;

• To provide for the regular and timely exchange of information between the U.S. private sector and the State Department concerning developments in protective security;

• To recommend methods and provide material for coordinating security planning and implementing of security programs;

• To recommend methods to protect the competitiveness of American businesses operating worldwide.

For the U.S. Consulate, Hong Kong Regional Security Officer Vince Graham, Assistant Regional Security Officer Ed Swoyer and Office Manager Marie Willadsen direct an active OSAC program with the private sector. Below are some recent OSAC events:

• January 15, 2008 - The Hong Kong/Macau hosted a regional conference for security professionals in the Asia/Pacific region. The event was held at the Aberdeen Marina Club. The purpose of the event was to bring together U.S. government and private sector experts to discuss Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement issues, as well as a host of other topics which impact security professionals in the region. The first day of the conference was devoted to IPR enforcement. The second day addressed cyber security, due diligence investigations, corporate espionage, terrorism and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Over 120 security professionals attended the conference.

• December 11, 2007 - JP Morgan hosted the last OSAC meeting of the year. Members of the U.S. Consulate General Law Enforcement Team provided short presentations on their duties and responsibilities, and how they interact with U.S. companies in Asia. The Internal Revenue Service, Department of Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation attended the meeting. After the briefings, the membership appointed a new Steering Committee.

• The Hong Kong/Macau OSAC met on Friday, 13 July 2007, at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong to discuss security planning for the 2008 Summer Olympics Equestrian events in Hong Kong. Representatives from the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the Equestrian Events Company provided presentations on their respective roles in the 2008 Summer Games as well as this summer’s Olympic test events.

• January 19^th, 2007; the Citibank Plaza hosted the first Hong Kong and Macau OSAC meeting of 2007. A PowerPoint presentation on Hong Kong airport security and the security of the Asia Pacific region was provided by Mr. Sidney Chau, the General Manager of Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO).
  
  Additionally, Cindy Eickhoff, the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) Attaché from the US Embassy Beijing, was present to discuss TSA operations in the region. Armando Valdez of United Airlines and Kenneth Cheng of Northwest Airlines also added their perspectives on the current security environment.

• September 1^st, 2006; Goldman Sachs Asia hosted the first meeting of the newly chartered OSAC in Hong Kong. After the steering committee was introduced, topics from Avian Flu to Airline Security were discussed. There were approximately 44 members present.

• March 12^th, 2006 - March 14^th, 2006; Hong Kong was chosen as the venue for the Overseas Security Advisory Council, U.S. Department of State (OSAC); the International Security Management Association (ISMA); and the Security Information Service for Business Overseas, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Confederation of British Industry (SISBO) to hold their Regional Security Conference.

  The meeting covered topics such as: Terrorism Security Environment and the Impact on the Private Sector, Pandemics, Business Risks in Asia, Protecting Business Information and Communications, Developing a Strategy to Protect Intellectual Property Rights and Managing the Security Risk in Asia.

  Notable speakers at the conference included: The United States Consul General, James Cunningham; the British Consul General, Stephen Bradley and the Commissioner of Police in Hong Kong, Commissioner Dick Lee. This meeting was held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel.