Security Executive Blog

Before a defense contractor can perform on a classified contact, it must be approved for a security clearance. You might familiar with security clearances for people, but defense contractor facilities must also be approved for security clearances called a facility clearance (FCL). Having an FCL doesn’t mean that a particular building is approved for a clearance, but rather the determination is based on the entity. For example, a defense contractor facility may be a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company, corporation, university or other recognized establishment. It is the organization itself and not the building that gets the clearance. A company cannot process itself for a clearance. The clearance is based on a legitimate classified contract from either a government entity or other prime contractor. A company can bid on a classified contract even if it does not possess an FCL. However, it must receive the FCL prior to beginning to work on the classified contract. When a...

For defense contractors, there can be nothing more than winning a contract and providing a great product or service. For those cleared defense contractors, landing the classified contract improves their opportunities. However, these opportunities have more requirements that must be addressed. Contractors performing on classified contracts are required to protect this information according to the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). The NISP was established in 1993 under Executive Order 12829. The purpose of the NISP is to protect classified information at the proper level whether it is in the hands of the U.S. Government or a defense contractor. The NISP provided reciprocal protection of the same information no matter which organization owned it. In other words similar classified information should be protected the same whether at a government or defense contractor location. The NISP provided the minimum standards for everyone to abide by. Even though some organizations may ...

Chinese Spy Gets More Than 15 Years in Prison - ABC News Another reason why you need the International Traffic In Arms Regulation (ITAR) Know the rules!

Industrial Security Newsletter - iContact Community Great article on performing security while walking around. Check the pulse of your security program while getting to know your employees.