Security Executive Blog

There are several books that a security manager or facility security officer should have in their possession. No professional library is complete without these valuable resources. The books provide wonderful instruction on security systems, performing risk management, structuring a security department for success and managing classified information. I’ve read each of the books and will provide reviews as follows. Managing the Security of Classified Information and Contracts, By: Jeffrey W. Bennett ISP I’m pleased to announce the upcoming release of Managing the Security of Classified Information and Contracts from CRC Press. This book is the only one of its kind written with defense contractors in mind. The facility security officer, contracts manager, senior officers, and cleared employee roles are defined. The reader will understand how to operate in a cleared contractor environment. This is a great overview of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (...

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with a facility security officer who was ready to move on to another job. He was frustrated because he had not been able to get his senior leaders on board with the security plan. It seemed no matter what he had sent for approval, his policies were not taken seriously. Since I had only heard one side of the argument, I could not come to a conclusion about the root cause of his frustration. However, I do know that he is not alone as many FSO’s of small defense contractors face similar issues within their own companies. Problems such as those mentioned above stem from two possible reasons in small defense contractor companies. The first is the FSO has not developed a reputation of understanding how to apply security measures to the way the company makes money. The second is that the senior officers have appointed a lover level employee to the FSO position. Understanding how security fits into the organization is vital. Security managers ...

Business growth affects the entire organization. The best thing that can happen in this case is for all the employees to be actively engaged in making the company successful. Each business unit doing its part to meet deadlines, supporting the contract or performing on the contract paves the way to overall success. The worst position for any unit to be in is failing to project the growth and causing a bottleneck in production. When a defense contractor business grows, the engaged cleared facility security officer (FSO) is prepared for that growth. The constant development and maintenance of relationships with employees and key business units allows the FSO to forecast requirements for the storage of classified material, performance of classified work and the protection of the enterprises employees, products, and capital. Preparing for growth involves the FSO not only training and hiring security employees, but accurately calculating classified inventory storage and work ...