Joseph Broz, director of security management at the Midwest Research Institute, asserted yesterday to students that America "is far behind other nations" in its preparation against terrorist attacks.
Broz, who is a fellow at the White House for science and technology, blamed the United States' lack of security on its late awareness of such dangers.
He hoped that some attendees would eventually adopt his suggestions if they were to serve in large corporations.
Broz outlined some of the key issues that necessitate corporate preparedness, saying that executives need to ask themselves, "Could my product or service be used as a weapon?" and "Do I really know who works for me?"
"Security is not just for the security officer," he said.
Broz pointed out that preparedness can help a company's competitiveness. He talked of a company in Florida that stayed open during floods that hit the state two years back, precisely because it was prepared for this calamity. Its market share has been rising steadily ever since.
He spoke of the legal measures enforcing preparedness.
In particular, the National Fire Protection Association 1600 standard allows for the prosecution of companies defaulting in their obligation to be prepared for crises, as in the litigation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Broz emphasized that a company should not "build iron doors in paper walls" and instead should focus on putting in place effective measures in advance.
Broz held up Target Corporation as an example. The company has gone beyond a "guns, gates, gadgets and guards" rudimentary system and has surveillance around many of its 1500 plants. The camera systems have even helped curb crime in these areas.
Pooja Patel, a Wharton freshman, was enthusiastic about the talk. "It was very useful and informative," she said.
Others, like Wharton senior Michael Major, were not as pleased.
"The talk was patchy. He should have talked more about the corporate response to legal measures," he said.
