DEARBORN ? Defense in Depth is the new mantra for InfraGard, an FBI-founded public/private partnership that also works closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help protect America from the bad guys ? whether they attack over the Internet or against physical facilities.

The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) was just codified this past June 28. According to Larry Shattuck (Holland, MI), Midwest Regional Representative of InfraGard and a member of Michigan InfraGard?s Board, “it is one of the most significant pieces of legislation for our nation?s security to date.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) named InfraGard in the NIPP as one of the key public/partner resources it will use to develop private sector awareness and training to help mitigate threats of all kinds, including those of terrorist origin.

Both the FBI and the DHS have committed significant additional resources this year to the InfraGard Program to support its efforts. ?With all its waterways, borders, and major manufacturing, Michigan has lot to tend to regarding security. Both these agencies have indicated Michigan InfraGard is an important part of Michigan?s security strategy.

?One of our key challenges this year,? said Shattuck, ?is to identify subject matter experts (SME?s) throughout Michigan and the rest of the country, in each one of the seventeen critical infrastructures, to provide expertise when needed.”

Shattuck was interviewed at the SecureWorld Detroit Expo held Sept. 19-20 at the Ford Conference & Event Center in Dearborn. The two-day show this year attracted hundreds of security professionals and dozens of exhibitors.

He said nationally, InfraGard is in the process of establishing a database of experts to assist with the needs outlined in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan. The experts must pass security background checks by becoming members of InfraGard in order to participate.

?They will be engaged in several ways, one of them being to assist with teaching the public how to protect the key assets of this nation,? Shattuck said. ? Reaching out to other security groups, like the ASIS, ISSA and GLIMA, is an important part of our plan. InfraGard?s relationship with both the FBI and the DHS provides a tremendous opportunity for these organizations to effectively engage in our nation?s protection in a way that up until now just wasn?t possible.?

If you?d like more information about how to become involved with InfraGard, you can email Shattuck at [email protected] or visit the website at InfraGard.Net