April 1, 2003

GW and webMethods Host Forum on Technology for Homeland Security

The George Washington University and webMethods, Inc., the integration software provider headquartered in Fairfax, VA, hosted a forum discussing “Homeland Security: Can Technology Make Us Safer?” March 20 at the Jack Morton Auditorium in GW’s Media and Public Affairs Building.

Sandy Berger, former national security adviser to President Clinton and a member of the webMethods Government Advisory Board, moderated the half-day event. Other speakers included: James Woolsey, former director of the CIA; Mark Forman, associate director for information technology and electronic government, Office of Management and Budget; James Gilmore, chair, National Advisory Commission on Terrorism, and former governor of Virginia; and Gary Hart, former senator and co-chair of the US Commission on National Security for the 21st Century.

Getting straight to the point, Forman criticized the government’s practice of relying on outmoded thinking, describing it as “putting lipstick on a bulldog.”

“We cannot operate 19th- and 20th-century processes and get the level of homeland security we need,” continued Forman.

When considering the issues of entry-exit visas, Forman described a typical error in thinking. One homeland security issue is how to determine if schools listed by appicant’s for student visas are actually real schools? A traditional approach would be to develop a database listing all of the colleges and universities, as well trade and technical schools.

“Who do you think already has all of that information?” asked Forman. “The Department of Education, the people who administer student loans and grants.”

As the leading independent provider of integration software, webMethods, Inc. delivers a comprehensive platform for enterprise-wide integration, including complete support for enterprise Web services. Through this seamless flow of information, companies can reduce costs, create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers, substantially increase supply chain efficiencies, and streamline internal business processes.

 

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu