Security Executive Blog

Let me complete the title by adding...it is a licensing issue. I've often spoke of the necessity for security professionals to understand their business, the contract and the people under the company employee. This is especially critical when executing security plans dealing with classified and technical information. I often thing that Facility Security Professionals or at least those in professional organizations should recite that as part of their creed. In recent news, a former University of Tennessee professor is accused of passing sensitive information to foreign students under his supervision. He had also travelled to China with sensitive, export controlled information; a clear violation of State Department regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Agreement. How did this come to be? This is an answer for the courts. The FSO and other readers can glean some valuable information from this article and several of the subject's comments. Mr. J. Reece Roth had argued t...

The Facility Security Officer’s successful program depends on developing relationships with employees, managers and executives to facilitate execution of company policies, necessary security awareness training, willful employee self-admittance of security infractions or change of status, and proactive action toward expired, existing and future classified contracts. Any of the above mentioned success measures is difficult to obtain in a changing employee and contract environment, but is simplified through employee and executive buy-in. One of the most important traits an FSO should possess, aside from technical competence, is the ability to gain executive, manager and work force buy-in. This buy-in is critical for integrating the security plan into all business units and company operations. For example, one major cause of security violations is the introduction or removal of classified material into or from a company without proper accountability. This is in contradiction to Do...

By: Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP Have you taken the next step to being competitive in the security arena? If not, this article will provide information and tips based on a proven method of studying for and passing the exam. Out of the 2,000 NCMS members only 6% hold the ISP certification. In July 2005 there were only 75 ISPs and as of October 2006 the number has increased to 117. The test is challenging and the pass rate is 80%. However, this pass rate is expected to improve. Why certify? The ISP holder demonstrates a high level of knowledge. The certification is based on the NISPOM but also covers electives such as: COMSEC, OPSEC, and other topics. This certified professional communicates to upper management that they are committed to the business, the industry and the protection of national interests. It puts the company in a stronger position while bidding on contracts and lends credibility to relationships with the oversight agency the Defense Security Services (DSS...

Customer Relationship ManagementSystems is a tactical and strategic tool that can be very useful in the security field. If used correctly, this tool can forecast trends and help a company with the top and bottom lines as well as help prevent security violations. Today, many businesses do not look the same as they may have many years ago. They have definitely left their core competency to move onto something more profitable. The internet and information technology have made that possible. General Motors and eBay are two companies who have reduced focus from their original purpose to reflect financing. They have both learned that keeping the customer in debt through interest bearing finance for longer periods of time is more beneficial to the business. Another example is from the best seller Good to Great. This book lists Kimberly Clark as a successful company that thrived in a dying industry. This company moved from being a supplier of coated paper to consumer goods like Huggies and Kle...

According to Porter’s Five Forces Model, in my opinion, competition has increased in the in all areas as a result of the internet and e-Commerce, providing several challenges to security. By way of providing threat assessment, try to see how your security process can take this model into consideration. The internet and IT has made it possible to both focus on the top and bottom lines and market share is expanded and costs are cut. Many products and services exist just online, major companies have gone online to successfully augment the brick and mortar corporations, and the playing field is all the way to edges of cyberspace, wherever that is. We will further evaluate this stepping through all five forces. Buyer power is higher when buyers have more choices. Businesses are forced to add value to their products and services to get loyalty. Many loyalty programs include excellent services that customers demand on-line. Customers want to solve their problems and many times they are more s...

Prior to travel, a cleared employee should have a good understanding of their responsibilities to protect national security. A Defensive Security Briefing is for those who travel overseas and may be vulnerable to foreign entity recruiting methods. They should be constructed to make the cleared traveler aware of their responsibilities to protect employees, product, customers and those with which they do business. Topics of the defense security briefing should include threat recognition, how to assess and how to respond when approached for recruitment Prior to travel, the employee should notify their security office of all foreign travel plans. This includes plans for Canada, Mexico and Caribbean Countries. The security department can then construct a plan for the specific area after researching the area to be travelled. The state department has a great website can fill security and the traveler in on all necessary travel documentation and what to expect while abroad. Traveling e...