Symposiums

February 21, 2006

For any corporation, and thus for the CIO, there will always be a need to strike a balance between the need to protect the privacy of their clients’ (or employees) data and the need to use those data for legitimate business purposes. In order to manage this process effectively, the CIO and technology organization needs to understand all the stakeholders and their competing interests. Personal data is used by commercial, governmental, and non-profit organizations for a variety of institutional and societal benefits: to evaluate and manage risk, to evaluate and pursue market opportunities, and to enhance our general social welfare. We discussed the fact that much of what is considered personal information may, in fact, be public information, but in combination with other sensitive information such as medical or financial data becomes highly risky information and needs to be private and secured. We also discussed that the legal and regulatory approach to the issue worldwide is to a) secure the data and b) emphasize consumers rights to notice of an institutions practice, a consumers choice on how information is collected, and consumers access to view information’s accuracy. For the technology community then, the challenge is primarily one of determining what data must they protect and secure, what controls do they put in place to secure it, how do they test to insure those controls are working properly, and how do they prove they have tested those controls. A further challenge is present in having to monitor the plethora of regulatory requirements that are issued at the global, federal and state level since there is no uniform framework for data privacy protection. We discussed some ways that Technology organizations work with their counterparts in Legal and Compliance organizations to work effectively to track the changing policy landscape. But the basics of information security management, as represented in many of the frameworks such as COBIT, are the starting points for creating a control infrastructure.

Panelists

• Craig Conway, Senior Vice President, First Data Prepaid Services
• Partha Bhattacharya, Director of Security Engineering, Cisco Systems
• Eric Hudson, Senior Vice President and CIO, Foamex International, Inc
• James Koenig, Practice Co-Leader, Privacy Strategy & Compliance, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Moderator

• Judith E. Tschirgi, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President, SEI

 

October 25, 2005
7:30 to 10:00 AM
Fox/Gittis Foyer
Liacouras Center
Temple University Main Campus

Business continuity planning is an important consideration for any organization including traditional high availability enterprises such as banks as well as non-profit organizations such as educational institutions. The basic idea of business continuity is that an organization has a plan in place to continue operations when a disruption occurs such as natural or other disasters. Over the years, the concept of business continuity has evolved to include not just data backup, but also crisis management, application, data and network recovery services, risk assessment, and security. In this panel discussion we will explore the current state of the art of business continuity planning and implementation in the Philadelphia region.

Panelists

• Susan Rogers, Senior Vice President – Enterprise Risk Management, GMAC Commercial Holding Corporation
• Michael Cox, Director – Operations Integration, Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems & Solutions
• Brian Turley, President, Strohl Systems
• Joe Dahan, Director – Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning, SEI
• Cherif Sleiman, Chief Technologist, Nortel Networks Office of Technology

Moderator

• Timothy O’Rourke, Vice-President for Computer and Information Services, Temple University

February 09, 2005
7:30 to 10:00 AM
Fox/Gittis Foyer
Liacouras Center
Temple University Main Campus

Ever since the first management information system was implemented in a business setting, there have been questions about how well (or not) information technology aligns with business objectives. Proponents have variously claimed that IT should be aligned with business objectives, or that it is really IT innovation that drives new business models and strategy. Over time our understanding of the nuances of these extreme positions has become more sophisticated with concepts such as eBusiness, business re-engineering, strategic agility, and others.

The role of the CIO and technology has dramatically changed in the past 5 – 10 years. If the CIO is not business savvy he/she will not be successful. But that is not all, the panel agreed unanimously that this is not a technical issue – but rather a business issue. To further break it down it is a relationship (with CEO & other C-level execs), communication and education issue. Various techniques were discussed on how to practically approach these issues; such as, Management Automation Committee with the Chair as a Senior Finance person, formally educate (update) your peers on a regular basis and your Board on a semi-annual basis. In addition hallway conversations and lunches prove very beneficial – great social skills are very important. In addition presenting to the CEO a strategy followed by a system to purchase is a bad idea – the gap analysis or business process between the strategy and the system is crucial to the CEO. Other successful techniques included creating a roadmap and key performance metrics as part of your plan. In summation the topic is very broad and skewed heavily based on the culture and processes in place in your industry and company. This makes a ‘silver bullet’ solution impossible, the successful alignment is the result of solid technology processes, relationships with senior management and a clear understanding of your business objectives.

Panelists

• Dr. Mathias Kirchmer, CEO, IDS Scheer North America
• Jim Lanzalotto, Vice President of Strategy & Marketing, Yoh
• Glenn Meglino, Director, Global Assurance Technology, Deloitte Services LP
• Louis Pellicori, Executive Vice President/Chief Information and Operations Officer, Sun National Bank
• Rudy Wolfs, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Officer, ING Direct USA

Moderator

• Michael Palmer, Executive VP & CIO, Allied Office Products, Inc.

December 02, 2004
7:30 to 10:00 AM
Fox/Gittis Foyer
Liacouras Center
Temple University Main Campus

The adoption of emerging technologies is a constant challenge for organizations. New innovative technologies promise new higher levels of productivity, improved service and new business opportunities, but the new “silver bullet” often fails perhaps due to unrealistic expectations, spiraling budgets, lack of time and other resources, employee and customer resistance and just poor management.

In this new era of prudent management in which the willingness to just believe in the future and invest is gone, is it feasible for organizations to continue to adopt and invest in emerging technologies? Can organizations actually manage and structure the adoption of new technologies? The distinguished panel of experts will offer insights on the challenges of adopting emerging technologies in organizations.

Panelists

• Cynthia Kuper, President & CEO, Versilant Nanotechnologies
• Terrie Stickel, Marketing Manager, SAP Field Marketing, SAP America
• Judy Tschirgi, CIO & Senior VP, SEI
• Art Valentine, VP Business Services & Operations, Promissor
• Anne M. Wilms, VP & CIO, Rohm and Haas Company

Moderator

• Niraj Patel, Executive VP & CIO, GMAC Commercial Mortgage

October 20, 2004
7:30 to 10:00 AM
Fox/Gittis Foyer
Liacouras Center
Temple University Main Campus

The rapid rate of adoption of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags is challenging the retail and distribution processes of many firms. RFID tags are tiny radio transmitters with read/write memory capability that could replace traditional barcode technology to automatically identify and track shipments and merchandise. A product could in theory be tracked and managed through the complete supply and retail chain from production to eventual disposal. Major retailers and the US government have mandated the use of this technology. What are the major business and technical implications of this technology? As businesses rush to adopt a technology with a shaky standard will there be a negative fall-out from inevitable failures? What can we learn from the lead adopters of RFID? This panel will pull together expert practitioners who can realistically address and assess the impact of RFID on the retailing and distribution industry.

Radio frequency identification tagging has the ability to revolutionize retailing. Real-time inventory management, automatic shelf replenishment and better in-stock levels are all possible. Spurred by Wal-Mart, the widespread adoption of RFID isn’t a matter of if but when. Our panelists had various views and experiences with the technology. CVS vice president Jack DeAlmo is looking at RFID to track expensive prescription drugs and comply with Federal Drug Administration regulations. Mark Donovan, a senior vice president with the Philadelphia Eagles, instituted RFID at the team’s stadium to speed concession lines and foster consumer loyalty programs. Among the topics covered: Are bar codes going to become a relic of the past? Alan Melling, senior director at Symbol Technologies said that he expects the two technologies to coexist for a while. His company provides both. Will RFID hurt privacy? All of the panelists were concerned with privacy issues, but noted that there are precautions. The key is being upfront about how data is used and give consumers a clear benefit. Douglas Karp, Senior Director, General Manager, Checkpoint Systems, said one area where RFID has shown a benefit is library checkout systems. Is there a return on investment? Craig Jett, Global Supply Chain and RFID Solution Executive, Distribution Sector, IBM, noted that returns will be company specific based on how RFID tagging is used. The costs of tags is one large hurdle.

Panelists

• Jack DeAlmo, Vice President, CVS
• Mark Donovan, Senior Vice President, Philadelphia Eagles
• Craig R. Jett, Global Supply Chain and RFID Solution Executive, Distribution Sector, IBM
• Douglas M. Karp, Senior Director, General Manager, Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
• Alan Melling, Senior Director, Symbol Technologies

Moderator

• Larry Dignan, News Editor, Baseline