TROY ? The Michigan InfraGard Members Alliance Board of Directors has approved the formation of a Michigan Upper Peninsula chapter, which will be based at Bay College. The UP chapters joins two other Michigan InfraGard chapters in Grand Rapids and Troy.
InfraGard is a Public-Private Partnership for professional networking and mutual aid between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the private sector including businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States.
?We?ve been working with the Michigan IMA Board for several months to make this happen,? said Alan Yeck, Executive Director for the M-TEC at Bay College. ?While we?ve had access to other chapters? downstate, it was critical to the infrastructure of Michigan to have one in our own area.?
Thomas Raupp, President of the Michigan IMA, said his organization brings security professionals face-to-face with regional experts, while connecting them to the resources of the FBI and DHS (Department of Homeland Security).
?Through the FBI, members have access to information that is not available to the general public, from intelligence bases encompassing multiple government agencies, national, and global sources,? Raupp said. ?InfraGard members across the nation are linked to each other and to the FBI by the Bureau’s secure alert network.
Companies can anonymously report incidents to all other members without fear of publicizing their vulnerability. The FBI provides encryption software developed to protect information exchange among members.
For more information and a U.P. Chapter membership application, please contact Alan Yeck at 906.789.6902 x1132 or via email at [email protected] or the Michigan IMA website at michiganinragard.org.
