3rd Annual SARMA Conference: Mark Randol, Domestic Intel and Counter Terrorism Specialist, CRS

I wanted to write up a post while I was here at the 3rd Annual Security Analysis and Risk Management Conference : New Prospective on Security Risk Management, presented by SARMA.  I was intrigued by the background of Mark Randol when I saw the agenda for the conference, and his presentation did not disappoint.  Mr. Randol is the Specialist in Domestic Intelligence and Counter terrorism at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a service I read regularly.  Prior to CRS, Mr. Randol was the Director of the Counter terrorism Policy Division for the Department of Homeland Security where he was responsible for ensuring the Secretary’s priorities were reflected in inter agency counter terrorism plans and policies.

His presentation was entitled, “Homeland Security Intelligence: Perceptions and Approaches.” I took away a few key points from this.  First, he defined intelligence as information once analysis has been added.  The major goal of his talk was to define what exactly Homeland Security Intelligence is.  He showed that it is mainly, but not limited to, information related to terrorist threats.  He used a quote by Former Secretary Chertoff, who I met yesterday, “Intelligence is not only about spies and satellites.” He believes that Homeland Security Intelligence is derived from a variety of collection methods and a combination of foreign and domestic sources, it is this all-source intelligence (foreign/domestic, clandestine/open) that addresses trans-national threats against US (not all Terrorism).  Also, it has many important uses, including: providing warning, dirsrupting terrorist plots, enhancing defensive security measures, identifying trends/emerging threats, and informing Risk Management Decision Making.

I have one more speaker left for today, then more posts can be expected tomorrow.  Until then, check out my twitter account @russwbeck for quasi-live tweeting!