In this memo we summarize some of the discussions underway in the ISSRE Steering Committee (SC) for distribution to the ISSRE community.
Our new SC launch was on December 2, 2005. We have agreed to have meetings every two weeks until some of the critical items are launched, after which period we plan to move to monthly meetings. Our focus is organized as follows:
- Tactical issues such as "call for conference", "communication", and immediate items for 2006.
- Strategic issues such as "growth", "area chairs", "advisory board", etc.
- Operational issues such as "election of chair", "term of SC members", etc.
A synopsis of some topics, in no particular order, follows:
- Team: The SC has 4 members who are new to the SC and 3 with SC experience. There is an even mix of industry and academia and representation from North America, Europe and Asia.
- 2007 conference. We are discussing strategy on how this should be planned from a near term and long term perspective to achieve growth and impact. This will influence on how the call for conference is positioned, selection of location, and overall direction. The call is planned for late January or early February.
- Growth. We are evaluating the factors that govern growth and areas and demographics that have capacity for growth. The primary question we want answered is how can we achieve growth so that the attendance numbers can target 250-350 in two to three years.
- Industry and Mix: Chicago ISSRE had a number of non-traditional attendees, e.g., from the health care industry. This is a trend we want to explore going into the next conference, and capitalize on local industries.
- Security Area: We agreed that Security as a topic should be part of the conference.
- Advisory Board. We plan to set up an Advisory Board. Composition is under discussion in our next meetings. Discussions to be led by Brendan Murphy.
- SC Chair. Ram Chillarege is elected as Steering Committee Chair.
- Communication: Veena Mendiratta is appointed as the point of contact for ISSRE community outreach. Mladen Vouk will explore the creation and maintenance of distribution lists. We will be putting out a digest of Steering Committee discussions on a periodic basis. This is the first of these communications.
- SC Tenure: We are discussing the tenure of members and the mechanism of retirement, replacement and enrolment.
- Area Chair: We are beginning the area chair discussion and appointments. Discussions to be led by Mladen Vouk.
