Security Executive Blog

I have just finished reading the local paper the day after Thanksgiving newspaper. I am reminded of the reason that this year is by far the best Thanksgiving celebration ever and the paper delivers the resounding reason. On the front page, just below the fold and prior to any articles about shopping on Black Friday is a picture of my handsome nephew being greeted by friends and family. The article is called: It’s ‘best Thanksgiving ever’ for soldier’s kin . Yesterday at approximately 11:30 am after traveling for four days from Iraq, my nephew landed safely. It was a great feeling be among over fifty friends and family ignoring typical tradition and surprising their favorite soldier at the airport. The trip was just part of the journey that brought him back to us…the good part. Unfortunately, the reason SPC Smith came home revolved around an improvised explosive device (IED) that destroyed his vehicle, killing and injuring its occupants. My nephew escaped with no serious injurie...

Executive Order 12958 delivers guidelines assigning classifications to objects and information. When it comes to classifying information, the intent is to provide proper safeguarding to prevent unauthorized disclosure, loss or compromise and keep the amount of classified information to the minimum. Items are classified to direct the appropriate amount of protection necessary. Before an Original Classification Authority (OCA) can designate that a document needs protection at the TOP SECRET, SECRET or CONFIDENTIAL level, the following qualifications are to be met. In cases where items may be assigned an original classification, four conditions must be met. 1. An original classification authority is applying the classification level 2. The U.S. Government owns, is producing, or is controlling the information 3. Information meets one of eight categories 4. The Original Classification Authority determines unauthorized disclosure could cause damage to national security to include transn...

Develop emergency procedures On September 11, 2001 flight, slammed into the Pentagon. Fuel, fire and concussion waves poured out into the most secured of areas. Sensitive and Classified military information and material, communications equipment, secure containers and much more became vulnerable to loss or compromise. Security containers welded shut and unable to access in the extreme heat of the subsequent fires. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc as waves crested levees and flooded much of the Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana low areas. Area residents and businesses evacuated the area leaving classified information locked in security containers. Flood waters caused tremendous damages that could have left unprepared businesses with unsecured classified material. Regardless of the type of disaster, manmade or natural, those in possession of classified material should have a solid procedure for protecting classified information. This procedure supports the o...

I am often asked questions about security question. Some are really good questions and I always appreciate them. Good quetions give me the opportunity to address security clearance and awareness issues that I don't always get to while giving formal training. These questions usually come up as I walk around the facilities or speak with folks informally. Here are just a few. 1. Is everyone guaranteed a security clearance? No, having as security clearance is not one is not one of our inalienable rights. A security clearance is a determination of trustworthiness based upon an extensive background check conducted by some very professional and persistent investigators. The background checks help answer a person's ability to protect classified information based on the following criteria: • Allegiance to the United States • Foreign influence • Foreign preference • Sexual behavior • Personal conduct • Financial considerations • Alcohol consumption • Drug involvement • Psychologic...