Top groups join together to get state’s attention

In order to tackle the issue, the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and ASIS International have joined forces to meet the growing business problem head on.

"From a business standpoint, if I was on the board, I would want to know where to go in the company to know about security," said Susan Caldwell, CEO of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

Dave Cullinane, president of ISSA and CISO with Washington Mutual, explained that the scope of many CSOs' jobs now goes beyond the convergence of physical and IT security.

He said the partnership will have a huge impact on how the role of the CISO/CSO evolves.

Primarily, the groups hope to help educate professionals about the inevitable convergence of IT and physical security and auditing and governance disciplines, and ensure the oversight role turns into something "sane and sensible."

Individually, the groups have already played active roles in helping to direct policy and legislation. But with an 80,000 combined membership, they are hoping their influence on Capitol Hill will grow.

Raymond O'Hara, member of the ASIS International Board of Directors and senior managing director for Vance International, said the alliance will help ASIS to wield more impact with legislators and the Department of Homeland Security.

More importantly, he added, the alliance will work to ensure that "if there is legislation passed, it will not adversely impact private enterprise."