Proximex , a developer for the physical security information management (PSIM) market, announced security consultant, former Silicon Valley CEO and NSA Deputy Director William Crowell has joined the company's advisory board.
Proximex , a developer for the physical security information management (PSIM) market, announced security consultant, former Silicon Valley CEO and NSA Deputy Director William Crowell has joined the company's advisory board.
"The area of convergence has intrigued me since the late ‘90s when Cylink brought to market integrated products that combined physical and logical security functions," Crowell said. "In Proximex, I see the strong and necessary core engine for producing, collecting and correlating elements for physical security management to integrate with an organization's business processes and policies. Because of the company's strong and innovative IT heritage, I believe Proximex delivers innovative and comprehensive solutions that address the needs of the converging markets."
Now an independent consultant specializing in information technology, security and intelligence systems, Crowell is a well-known member of the security industry with more than 30 years of experience in both the federal government and private sector. He held a series of senior positions for the National Security Agency, culminating with his appointment as Deputy Director from 1994 until 1997. From 1998 to 2003, Crowell served as President and CEO of Cylink, a provider of e-business security solutions, until its acquisition by SafeNet. He was also director and Chairman of Broadware Technologies, a video software company, until its acquisition by Cisco in June 2007 and served on the Markle Foundation Task Force on National Security in the Information Age, a group that published three studies on homeland security and information sharing.
"Bill is an outstanding asset to our Board, bringing the right combination of high-level security insight, market awareness and industry contacts that fit with our company strategies," said Jack Smith, CEO for Proximex. "Bill intimately understands the need for PSIM solutions and convergence because he knows first-hand that companies have more than just physical assets to protect; there are intellectual property, company strategies and plans to guard as well. Bill's advice and support is invaluable as we continue to lead and educate the PSIM market."
Today, Crowell serves as a director for the following companies: ArcSight, (ARST), an enterprise security management software company; Narus, a maker of IP Telecommunications Infrastructure software for carrier traffic intelligence and security; SafeNet, (acquired Cylink) a Baltimore-based security products company; DRS Technologies, a supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide; and Air Patrol, a wireless network security company. Since January 2008, he has served on the SunFed Board of Directors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Microsystems.
Crowell has been tracking the convergence of physical and logical security for more than a decade. He is co-author of "Physical and Logical Security Convergence," a first look at how the physical security industry is evolving using IP as the transport and command-and-control mechanism for its operations. It also examines how convergence of physical and logical security operations might impact the industry.