Wednesday December 5, 3:21 pm Eastern TimePress Release
SOURCE: Acxiom CorporationAcxiom Executive Outlines Measures For Using Data to Fight War on Terrorism
Government Encouraged to Team with Private Sector For Best Use of Information Technology and Expertise
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2001--Information is the most powerful weapon in America's fight against terrorism, but its potential is not yet being unleashed, according to Jerry Jones, legal and business development leader at Acxiom® Corporation (Nasdaq:ACXM - news).
``Technology used every day by the finance and business industries can be applied to enhance airline safety,'' Jones said. ``When you apply for an insurance policy today, your application and identity are subjected to a computerized background check or risk assessment. But if you purchase a ticket to fly across the United States, no such data verification of your identity occurs. Why? Because airport security today remains overly focused on finding weapons as opposed to finding terrorists.''
Jones' remarks came today at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's conference on ``Immigration Policy after September 11: Enhancing Security and Facilitating Commerce.'' Other presenters at the conference included Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee, and James W. Ziglar, Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization Service.
At the event Jones said, ``Much like the manufacturing industry played a role in our victory during World War II, the information technology industry will play a very significant role in our victory against terrorism. I urge those of you within the government to aggressively reach out to the private sector for help.''
In September, Acxiom announced that it was developing a security-enhancing information verification system to help airlines quickly validate personal information supplied by passengers. Acxiom will utilize AbiliTec(TM), its Customer Data Integration software, in the verification system to bring together information from a variety of sources in real time as passengers reserve airline tickets and check in at airports.
Jones explained that the same types of tools, technologies and processes that allow Acxiom's clients to recognize their customers can be used to connect or integrate government databases. Although some improvement has been made since September 11, computerized systems used by the government and airlines do not effectively communicate with each other, nor do they employ the kind of ``risk assessment'' software used every day by the insurance industry and others to prevent fraud.
``Acxiom had information on 11 of the 19 publicly identified hijackers,'' Jones said. ``Had a system been in place on September 11 that integrated commercial data with that from the FBI, Immigration and Naturalization, Customs and other agencies, several of the airplanes certainly would have had extra security directed at them. With a system such as this, we can deliver the right information to the right person at the right time to make the right decision.''
The data and technology for such a screening process already exists in the business world. ``Now it's just waiting to be put to use for security purposes,'' Jones said.
However, there are impediments that will have to be overcome, Jones said. ``Currently when a person is asked to show his driver's license at the ticket counter, an airline has no way of verifying whether the license is valid because private business is prohibited from having access to driver's license information for this type of verification process. In order for the private sector to provide a solution for airport security, an amendment to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act is needed immediately. I look forward to government agencies and the private sector working more closely together in this fight against terrorism,'' he said.
About Acxiom
Acxiom Corporation, a global leader in Customer Data Integration (CDI) and customer recognition infrastructure, enables businesses to develop and deepen customer relationships by creating a single, accurate view of their customers across the enterprise. Acxiom achieves this by providing CDI software, database management services, and premier customer data content through its AbiliTec(TM), Solvitur® and InfoBase® products, while also offering a broad range of information technology outsourcing services. Founded in 1969, Acxiom (Nasdaq: ACXM - news) is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, with locations throughout the United States and with operations in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Australia. Acxiom revenues were $1.01 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001. For more information, please visit www.acxiom.com
The discussion in this release regarding Acxiom Corporation contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports. Actual results may differ materially. Acxiom undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision to any forward-looking statement to reflect any future events or circumstances.
Acxiom, InfoBase and Solvitur are registered trademarks of Acxiom RTC, Inc. AbiliTec is a trademark of Acxiom Corporation.
Ellison donates Oracle 9i for U.S. security
By Wylie Wong, News.com
December 5, 2001 4:25 AM PTSAN FRANCISCO--Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison said Tuesday that he has donated Oracle software to the U.S. government to create a database for national security.
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Ellison has championed the need for the United States to create a national standard for identification cards. During his keynote speech at Oracle's OpenWorld customer conference here, Ellison said he has delivered Oracle's 9i database management software to a U.S. government agency for national security, but he declined to give further details, such as which agency or for what usage.
"We don't run those law enforcement agencies. We just provide them software," he said during a news conference.
Ellison had earlier offered to donate Oracle's database software, but to charge for maintenance and upgrades as part of his goal of creating a national ID standard.
Ellison has suggested airport security would be improved by requiring travelers to provide their names and Social Security numbers to airport security personnel. Security personnel could then compare the travelers' thumbprints with those stored in a national security database to ensure accurate identification.
When Oracle started up nearly 25 years ago, it built databases for the CIA. Database management software allows businesses, Web sites and government agencies to store and manage vast amounts of information.
For example, Ellison said, the Immigration and Naturalization Service has more than 80,000 handprints of travelers and foreigners with visas to enter the country. He said national security data is housed in multiple databases, when it should be grouped together in one central repository.
"There is cooperation" among government agencies, he said. "But there's a lot of data fragmentation."
During his news conference, Ellison added that a national standard for identification cards is important for national security reasons. "Our existing IDs should not be easily forged," he said. "Credit cards are based on a set of standards; why doesn't the government?"
But HAL9000, tell me -what's the connection?