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DSAC Background
Since 1985, the U.S. Government and the U.S. private sector have successfully shared
security information through the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), a program
within the Diplomatic Security Service, U.S Department of State. The FBI, specifically
the Criminal Investigative Division (CID), has served as a technical advisor to
OSAC since 1996 for intelligence sharing and threat information. In the post 9/11
environment a majority of the same U.S. companies engaged in (affiliated with) OSAC
are very concerned about the security of their primary domestic operations. The
US private sector remains seriously concerned about terrorist and counter intelligence
threats, however the day to day operational security concerns primarily involve
threats to their respective organizations that are criminal in nature.
In November 2005, a Steering Committee comprised of ten Chief Security Officers
(CSOs) from ten of the 100 largest publicly traded domestically chartered corporations
to include Citigroup, Coca-Cola and Federal Express, was convened at FBI Headquarters
to explore the feasibility of creating a domestic security intelligence sharing
program between the FBI and the U.S. private sector.
In December 2005, DSAC was officially formed as an FBI program with the following
mission statement:
"The Domestic Security Alliance Council (DSAC), a strategic partnership between
the FBI and the U.S. private sector, will enhance communications and promote the
timely and effective exchange of information. The DSAC will advance the FBI mission
in preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal acts, particularly those affecting
interstate commerce, while advancing the ability of the U.S. private sector to protect
its employees, assets, and proprietary information."
During 2005 the FBI worked closely with the Steering Committee to develop a concept of operations
for DSAC. In July 2006, the Steering Committee evolved into a formalized DSAC Leadership Board
comprised of 29 individuals representing some of the largest companies and leaders of their industries.
The DSAC Leadership Board represents over 20 industries including but not limited to Airlines, Commercial
Banks, Entertainment and Food Production and covers all geographic regions of the United States.
As of 2009, there are 80 companies participating in the DSAC program, representing every critical
infrastructure and business sector. Companies participating in DSAC account for approximately 24% of the
US Gross Domestic Product, and account for 7.1% of total US employment.
* This is a static website for informational purposes only. The web portal for information
sharing as described in the missions statement above is currently under construction.
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