ASIS International (ASIS; Alexandria, VA, USA), the largest organization for security professionals, with more than 36,000 members and 204 chapters worldwide, develops educational programs and materials to increase the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals. ASIS recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Information Systems Security Association (ISSA; Portland, OR, USA), which serves information security and risk professionals and has over 138 chapters operating in 70 countries. The organization's members range from first-year systems administrators to the senior information security executives. The Open Security Exchange (OSE; Washington, DC, USA), a group dedicated to accelerating convergence of IT and physical security, also became aligned with ASIS a short time ago.

ASIS and ISSA are working together to increase collaboration relating to Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM). The immediate objective is to provide a framework for active cooperation in developing educational content through research, covering the entire risk spectrum, including financial, strategic and operational aspects. "Our involvement with the ISSA is in the interest of rapid advancement and development of the ESRM body of knowledge [and will] be mutually beneficial," said ASIS chief executive officer Michael J. Stack.

According to the terms of the agreement, members of ASIS and ISSA meet regularly to identify joint strategic and operational opportunities for both their domestic and international programs. Mutual member discounts on fees for ASIS/ISSA educational programs, access to members-only content on websites, and joint support for global evolution of security standards and guidelines are also offered.

"As the worlds of logical security, physical security and compliance converge, we need to... equip our members, and our profession, with the skills to present a holistic view of security risks," said ISSA President Howard A. Schmidt. "Working together with ASIS... will help prepare us for the next generation of security risk challenges."

Related Links:
ASIS International
Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
The Open Security Exchange (OSE)