Overseas Security Advisory Council FACT SHEET PROTECTING SOFT TARGETS OVERSEAS ‘The U.S. Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was established in 1985 by then-Secretary of State Shultz to promote security cooperation between American business and private sector interests worldwide, OSAC’s goal is to support U.S. organizations by sharing security information and developing efficient and cost-effective communication networks that provide the private sector with the tools needed to cope with security-related issues ina foreign environment. * Currently, over 8,000 constituent representatives participate in the program, including businesses, religious groups, academic institutions, and other non-governmental organizations * OSAC shares information with the private sector about crime, terrorism and other factors (political, economic, and social factors) that impact the security environment overseas. INFORMATION IS SHARED THROUGH FOUR PRINCIPAL MEANS: 1, OSAC Couneil - The OSAC Council is a 34-member joint private/public sector body that leads the organization and sets its strategic direction, goals and objectives. This structure ensures the goals are set by the private sector with public sector suppor. 2. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION SUPPORT CENTER (RISC) — Seventeen coordinators research issues affecting the private sector and make this information available through reports, briefings and consultations. The RISC staff average 300 consultations a month. 3. Country CouNcILs replicate the OSAC public/private partnership at over 135 overseas locations, bringing together the embassy or consulate with the private sector regional managers to share information about security issues of mutual concern in the region, 4. OSAC Wenstre ~ The website has over 25,000 users and includes information such as daily news highlights, security incident reports, embassy and consulate warden messages, and crime/safety reports. ‘+ OSAC annually partners with other organizations to host regional security conferences, such as this year’s International Security Management Association (ISMA)/OSAC conference for North Africa and the Middle East in March 2011. + OSAC also partners with its private sector members to create industry-specific events; in 2011, OSAC will co-host a maritime security conference, several academic events, a crisis management seminar, and an NGO workshop. * OSAC provides written analytic reports on a host of security issues globally; a Regional Affairs Bulletin is published weekly, a Global Affairs Bulletin is published monthly, and a Cyber Awareness Bulletin is published twice monthly. + OSAC supports major international events involving the private sector by providing information about the security environment, planning and coordination efforts. OSAC Web Site: “osac.gov”