News Release
FOR RELEASE - July 13, 2020
Contact: Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, aellis@aapa-ports.org
(703) 254-7098

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

AAPA Kicks off Virtual Port Security Seminar

All-new AAPA Anywhere platform enhances education, training and credentialing opportunities

Today, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas –opened its annual Port Security Seminar and Expo as a new, week-long virtual event  called AAPA Anywhere.  

The agenda for the 2020 Port Security Seminar and Expo format features timely, relevant, on-demand content from subject matter experts. It also offers registered participants exclusive “live” face-to-face networking and interaction opportunities with seminar speakers, private message exchanges with industry colleagues through a dedicated event app, and educational opportunities from industry solution providers.  All of this packaged as a safe, virus-free environment for engagement amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, AAPA, in conjunction with its ACCELerate grant program, is offering a brand-new Cybersecurity certificate as part of its Industry Recognized Port Credential (IRPC) professional development curriculum. The certificate is available to participants who agree to complete the Port Security Seminar, participate in three standalone training seminars and complete a small culminating project. The cyber certificate supports new U.S. Coast Guard requirements for facility security plans to include a cybersecurity component.

“With AAPA Anywhere, we’re delivering a high-quality, online experience by providing attendees with tested technology solutions, clear instructions for the virtual experience, a dedicated mobile app, and suggestions and tips to get the most out of this year’s Port Security Seminar & Expo,” said AAPA Member Engagement Vice President Meredith Martino. “Similar to our face-to-face conferences, this event also offers our port industry solution providers heightened visibility through sponsorship opportunities and gives event exhibitors one-on-one connections with existing and potential customers.”

• Day 1 (July 13) topics of the virtual event focus on COVID-19 pandemic challenges and opportunities. These include mariner and ship safety, adapting the Port Security Grant Program to cyber threats, how various federal agencies are addressing cyber risks to ports, and contact tracing, technology automation, community engagement and beyond.

• Day 2 (July 14) topics include a special focus on cybersecurity apprenticeship training, with specific emphasis on cyber trends, terminology and domain awareness.

• Day 3 (July 15) topics continue the cybersecurity apprenticeship training focus, with specific elements on maritime cybersecurity fundamentals, safe cyber practices, maritime operations cybersecurity, and the cybersecurity of Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT), and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

• Day 4 (July 16) features presentations on and about Customs and Border Protection (CBP) roles, responsibilities, challenges and achievements in the maritime sector. This includes CBP’s facility expectations of ports, Congress’ outlook on port security, port security officers and CBP security standards, and lessons learned from airports on their security asset portfolios.

• Day 5 (July 17) examines emerging threats and regulations on the port security front, including what U.S. Coast Guard cybersecurity compliance looks like, cutting-edge cybersecurity defenses, drone threats at ports, and paradigms on how to detect and deter human trafficking.

For more information about AAPA’s 2020 Port Security Seminar and Expo, click here.

WHO:	Hosted by American Association of Port Authorities, and co-sponsored by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC, ABS Group, Allied Universal, Axis Communications and Everbridge.
WHAT:	AAPA’s 2020 Port Security Seminar and Expo event
WHEN:	Monday through Friday, July 13-17, 2020
WHERE:	Virtually through AAPA Anywhere
MEDIA:	Professional journalists representing bona-fide media outlets may request complimentary access to pre-recorded content from this event by emailing Aaron Ellis at aellis@aapa-ports.org.

About AAPA
Founded in 1912 and recognized as the unified voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA today represents 130 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 200 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports.
According to IHS Markit’s GTA Forecasting (previously known as World Trade Service), combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere seaports in 2018 totaled nearly 4.2 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.7 trillion in value. Of that combined total, seaports in Central and South America handled 1.86 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$1.17 trillion, while North American seaports handled 2.34 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.53 trillion.  Within North America, U.S. seaports handled 1.01 billion metric tons of international trade valued at US$1.95 trillion, while Canada’s seaports handled 380.53 million metric tons of goods valued at US$266.67 billion, and Mexico’s seaports handled 352.53 million metric tons of cargo valued at US$312.91 billion.
To meet the growing demand for trade, the AAPA and its members are committed to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable.  For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org. On Twitter: http://twitter.com/AAPA_Seaports