Security Executive Blog

Try this question out and see if you know what to do. Better yet, if you are a security manager or facility security officer, run the following scenario by your cleared employees: Your colleagues leave for lunch. On their way out, they inform you that you are going to be the only one left. Your facility is authorized to store classified materials. What will you check for prior to leaving? Which form will you sign? The end of day security check lists play a critical role in protecting our classified items as well as personal, proprietary and company sensitive material. The end of day checklist is a procedure required in the NISPOM and other federal agency regulations. However, they could be implemented in any situation where privileged or sensitive items prove vulnerable to theft or espionage. Though the checklist is signed daily, it should not be signed just for the sake of compliance or "checking the block". This signature should only be annotated as a result of completing t...

What defines this room as approved for open storage?” I had asked while consulting on a project a few years ago. I had been in the middle of an extreme security discussion. The whole time I realized that the security employees I consulted understood their responsibilities, but did not know why the security measures were in place or where to find the guidance. “This area is approved for open storage. So, when we leave, we don’t have to set the alarm or spin the dial,” they said. “So, does that mean your document control folks in the other area can leave their safe open as long as they shut the door?” I asked, picking up on their logic. “No, they are not approved for open storage.” They have to lock the security containers in their office prior to leaving them unattended. “Correct, classified items should be secured prior to leaving the area,” I replied. “However, an area approved for open storage should be secured before leaving. That means setting the alarms and “spinning the dia...