DALLAS — A presentation by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the ASIS expo proved to be a rallying cry for the troops of the security industry.
Time Magazine’s 2001 “Person of the Year” said private security firms and protection were acting as the nation’s defense against future terrorist attacks.
Giuliani, who many say was the glue that held the Big Apple together during and after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, served as ASIS’ keynote speaker on Sept. 29.
“Many don’t realize that you are the first line of defense against terrorism,” Giuliani told the audience of security professionals. “I respect very much what you do and it’s the perfect response for what has to happen now.”
Giuliani said that he applies a rule he learned as a law clerk when it comes to terrorism: “relentless preparation.” He says private security was the first responder on 9-11 and would be again in another attack. However, the former mayor says, unlike some, he doesn’t think another attack will absolutely happen as long as Americans, and the security industry, remain vigilant.
“I think things are less dangerous as long as we remain cognizant of the lessons we learned from September 11,” he said. “If you take away the defense, the war on terrorism is not possible.”
