Event To Be Held In January In West Palm Beach, FL

With security threats at home and abroad among the concerns for industry professionals, the NBAA has announced a new educational opportunity focusing on business aviation security.

The inaugural NBAA Security Conference, to be held Jan. 24-25, prior to the first 2017 NBAA Regional Forum in West Palm Beach, FL, promises to help attendees raise the bar for security measures in their organizations, and prepare to respond to a national security crisis. The Security Conference is relevant to Part 91 and Part 135 operators alike.

“Business aviation security issues are presented in a number of NBAA conferences and forums, but this is the one conference that will bring it all together,” said Mike Nichols, CAM, NBAA’s vice president, operational excellence and professional development. “This brand-new, in-depth conference will complement other security educational opportunities NBAA provides throughout the year.”

While the conference itself is intended for business aviation professionals with experience in security best practices, professionals new to the security arena are encouraged to attend a pre-conference Introduction to Business Aviation Security Workshop on Jan. 24. This workshop will help arm new security coordinators and others responsible with critical basics for developing and implementing security measures within their organization.

Another pre-conference event, the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) Roundtable, is open to TSA-approved DASSP operators only. Here, approved DASSP operators will discuss desired improvements to the program and possible new benefits operators could receive for being vetted.

The conference agenda was developed based on survey results from NBAA member companies, which indicated that the expansion and maturation of their organization’s security practices is a top priority. Topics include:

The Security Landscape: This session sets the stage for the entire conference by explaining the relationship between business aviation and relevant security agencies.
Enhancing Security of Business Aviation: Looking at privacy considerations, security at home base and more.
Deep-Dive in International Operations: Discussions surrounding key international security concerns, contingency planning and more.
Solutions to Cybersecurity Threats: Providing guidance to mitigate digital threats in the aircraft and office environment.
Security of Personnel Away from Home Base: Sharing advice on coordinating passenger travel protection efforts with aircraft and crewmember security.
The conference will close with attendees and facilitators sharing concerns and expertise in several workshop discussions.

“We are excited to bring this conference to our members, particularly in a year of governmental transition,” said Nichols. “The conference will be interactive and scenario-based, presenting tools and practices operators can take back to their organizations and implement immediately to raise the bar for security in their flight department and company overall.”

The conference will continue NBAA’s tradition of bringing high-quality, experienced subject matter experts to share their knowledge with the industry. Unique opportunities for peer-to-peer learning will make this new NBAA Security Conference a dynamic, interactive learning event.

FMI: www.nbaa.org/events/security-conference/2017