Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

OSAC Overview

University of Washington

International Health, Safety & Security Seminar

March 6, 2009

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Challenges Abroad

• Crime

• Civil Unrest

• Terrorism

• Political Violence

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

What is OSAC?Yesterday…

Created in 1985 to promote security cooperation between the American private sector worldwide and the U.S. Government

Today…

Joint venture with a current constituency of over 5,000 private sector organizations, and over 100 local OSAC country councils

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

OSAC’s Strategic Objectives

• Establish continuing liaison between the U.S. government and the private sector

• Provide regular and timely exchange of security information in the overseas environment

• Provide guidance such as “best practices” for coordinated security planning and implementation

• Protect the global competitiveness of American organizations operating overseas

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

OSAC Executive Council• 30 Private SectorPrivate Sector Organizations

Including academic institutions, NGOs, and faith- based institutions

• Technical AdvisorsU.S. Government Agencies

• Co-Chaired by Director of Diplomatic Security and Private Sector Representative

• Meet quarterly to create & implement OSAC’s strategic plan

HELD ACCOUNTABLE to private sector needs

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Research & Information Support Center • 15 Analysts

Regional coverage

Major events

Information security

• Outreach

Phone, email, in-office consultations

Event threat assessments

Travel to region

24-hr crisis management

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

OSAC Website• Daily News• Email Newsletters• Travel Warnings• Warden Messages• Analytic Reports

– Situation updates– Incident

PowerPoints• Event Announcements• Risk Assessments

www.osac.gov

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Incident Reporting• Use the link to report incidents or critical

issues that have affected your operations overseas

• Select categories that relate to the incident from the list of available categories

• Add any additional details regarding the incident in the space provided

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Country Councils• Goal: Enhance the exchange of

security information between the private sector and Embassy

• Meeting Content• Information-Sharing & Networking• Discussing Best Practices • Recognizing Trends• Handling Crises• Rumor Control

http://London.osac.govhttp://London.osac.gov

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Study Abroad Safety & Security Seminars

Free, One-day Events:

• Georgia Tech (spr 08)

• Paris, France (spr 08)

• Texas Tech (fall 08)

• U of Washington (spr 09)

• London, England (spr 09)

• New York (fall 09)

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Crisis Management• Information Sharing

Duty officer and regional analyst

Post-incident report

• Evacuation USG efforts transportation information

• Benchmarking Private sector response

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Resources…• U.S. Embassy

– Regional Security Officer– Consular Affairs– American Citizen Services

• OSAC– Regional Coordinators– www.osac.gov– Country Council websites

- e.g. http://London.osac.gov

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Ready to Join?

• Any institution that is incorporated in the United States can apply to become an OSAC constituent

• From our website, click “Join OSAC Now”

• For password information, email any analyst or our general account

Overseas Security Advisory Council

University of Washington

Laura SimmonsSimmonsLK@state.gov

571.345.7745