Cyber-Terrorism Topic of Next Professional Development Course at TAMIU

A new and immediate threat, cyber-terrorism is on the rise. Learn how the government prevents and contains such attacks at the next professional development program offered by Texas A&M International University’s South Texas Border Security Institute on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at TAMIU’s Bob Bullock Hall, room 101.

This seminar is free and open to the public, but those in law enforcement are highly encouraged to attend.

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education training hours will be awarded to law enforcement community members who attend.

“Since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, our government has seen an increase in cyber-terrorism. Military and law enforcement personnel need to be aware of this new form of terrorism,” explained Dr. Claudia E. San Miguel, director, TAMIU’s criminal justice program.

“Cyber-terrorism is often used as a weapon of war. It includes all intentional attacks on a computer or computer network meant to disrupt and/or destroy information,” Dr. San Miguel added.

Over the course of the seminar, participants will learn descriptions and explanations of how cyber-terror attacks have been launched in the U.S. and how the government responds to such attacks. The briefing will also discuss the difficulties in prosecuting instances of cyber-terrorism.

Instructor for the course is Dr. Jeffrey Addicott, St. Mary’s University School of Law Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Terrorism Law. He is an internationally recognized authority on national security law, terrorism and human rights law.

Dr. Addicott served as an active duty Army office in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for 20 years and retired in 2000. He spent a quarter of his career as a senior legal advisor to the U.S. Army’s Special Forces. His most recent book is “Terrorism Law: Cases, Materials, Comments.”

Addicott holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees from the University of Virginia School of Law. He also received a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the Army Judge Advocate General's School and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.

This course is presented as part of a comprehensive program designed to provide the training and expertise required for personnel working to secure the nation’s southern border. Partners include TAMIU, the Texas National Guard, Laredo Community College, and various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

For more information, contact San Miguel at csanmiguel@tamiu.edu or 326.2529 or visit offices in Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall 302J.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Thursday and 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu