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Airport Security Technology Task Force Taps
Symantec CEO John W. Thompson as Working Chair
San Jose, CA- U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (D-San Jose) and San Jose Mayor Ron
Gonzales announced today that John W. Thompson, CEO of Symantec Corporation,
will serve as the Chair for the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force
on Aviation Security and Technology.
The task force will be comprised of up to 20 technology, security, business,
and aviation experts from Silicon Valley to identify and evaluate technology-driven
solutions to improve the security and efficiency of national and local
aviation.
"John W. Thompson's expertise and ability make him an ideal choice
to head this Task Force. He rightly understands that true aviation security
means protecting not only airplanes and people, but networks and data
as well," said Honda. "Throughout our history, the public sector
and private enterprise have worked together to face our nation's greatest
challenges- the Blue Ribbon Task Force hopes to build upon this important
legacy."
"The diverse and powerful resources of our area make Silicon Valley
uniquely prepared to harness technology to improve security and efficiency
at our nation's airports," said Thompson. "It is an honor to
be selected by Congressman Honda and Mayor Gonzales to work in partnership
with our business leaders and elected officials to develop innovative
solutions to enhance national aviation security."
Gonzales noted that Thompson's successful experience leading high technology
enterprises and in the field of Internet security will provide a valuable
perspective and focus for the task force. "We expect this group to
identify where the tools and technology can be developed to help us both
improve security and improve air travel convenience at our own airport
and at others," he said. "With John Thompson's outstanding leadership
and technical knowledge, I am confident that the task force will provide
good results."
The balance of the task force will be named in the coming weeks. Once
the task force is established, it will have 100 days to develop recommendations
regarding existing and emerging technologies that can upgrade systems
for passenger identification, baggage screening, airfield and cockpit
security, explosive detection and other security concerns.
The panel's recommendations will be submitted by Honda and Gonzales to
the San Jose City Council and the new head of the Transportation Security
Administration, Undersecretary of Transportation, John Magaw.
The events of September 11 focused the nation on the need for greater
security for aviation infrastructure and systems. Congress and the FAA
have enacted broad new regulations for air travel safety, and all U.S.
airports are required to implement an array of new security measures by
specific dates over the next three years.
To ensure uniform and nationwide implementation of these new measures,
the responsibility for airport security operations has been placed under
the jurisdiction of the new Transportation Security Administration in
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The new federal aviation security law includes a key provision authored
by Honda that will launch a nationwide pilot program in twenty or more
U.S. airports to test new and emerging security technologies. The measure,
which is also part of freestanding legislation introduced by Honda and
Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) in October 2001, could dramatically improve airport
security by promoting the development and use of cutting edge technologies,
such as biometric authentication, global positioning system applications,
enhanced communication systems and database integration protocols. The
pilot program is a product of numerous meetings and demonstrations that
Honda convened with Mayor Gonzales, top Silicon Valley executives, the
FAA, FBI, Bay Area Airport officials and other Members of Congress.
Congressman Honda is a member of the House Transportation Committee's
Aviation Subcommittee and also serves as a Vice Chair of the Democratic
Homeland Security Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives.
John W. Thompson is chairman of the board of directors and chief executive
officer of Symantec Corporation. Since joining Symantec in April 1999,
Thompson led the transformation of the company from a consumer software
publisher to the global leader in Internet security solutions for individuals
and enterprises.
Thompson joined Symantec after a 28-year career with the IBM Corporation
where he held senior executive positions in sales and software development.
Prior to joining Symantec, he was general manager of IBM Americas with
responsibility for sales and support of IBM's technology products and
services,
Symantec is a world leader in Internet security technology. The Silicon
Valley company provides a broad range of content and network security
software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service
providers. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide
operations in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com.
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