Security Executive Blog

There is a lot of debate about professional certification. Currently, the drive and motivation for facility security officers (FSO) and security specialists to become Industrial Security Professional (ISP) certified is still determined by them. There are few real requirements for security professionals to devote time, money and other valuable resource necessary to getting the ISP certification. NCMS is performing the monumental task of creating a credible and viable certification program, but the industry as a whole does not seem to buy in to the benefits. There are few job announcements and job positions that actually require the ISP Certification. The Department of Defense has not recognized the ISP certification as a requirement, but has instead created a certification for their security employees called Security Professional Education Development Program (SPeD) (pronounced speed). Some agencies do require the CISSP, but none have specifically called out the ISP Certification. Sinc...

Cleared contractors are required to brief their cleared employees every year. It’s easy when there is a Facility Security Officer (FSO) on site. However, companies consisting of one to a few hundred employees may have FSOs designated in addition to regular duties. COOs, engineers, CFOs, HR and other professionals don’t have time to create and execute training while performing on contract. That’s where Red Bike Publishing can help. An FSO can spend several hours designing training. At $35.00 per manager work hour, that could end up costing at least $150.00, not including the costs associated with brining the FSO off a contract. Our low cost, high value training package allows you to concentrate on your core competencies while we provide your required training. Our  NISPOM Training  contains requirements for the Annual Security Awareness and Initial Security Training. Just download our slides and lead the discussion, the notes are already filled out a...

We know it’s tough to focus on both creating a company to last and performing under strict government guidelines. Getting classified contracts, requesting security clearances and remaining compliant are all vital to a cleared contractor’s success. But… Just one mistake can cost a defense contractor current and future contracts. Until now, there has been no one place to find everything you need to know about security clearances. Many defense contractors and employees don’t understand how to get their clearances and compete for classified work. The DoD Security Clearance and Contracts Guidebook brings together information from Presidential Executive Orders, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) and other regulations to demonstrate how to establish and maintain a successful security program. Whether you are part of a business or an employee, this book will demonstrate both the security clearance process and how...

     “I’d like you to move my desk from the window to the inside wall. I keep getting a glare on my computer screen.” Our friendly executive assistant said to me.       “Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence. However, I’m not as strong as I look and don’t think I should tackle that project alone. Have you sent a request to facilities?” I replied.      “Well that’s what I thought I was doing. Aren’t you the Facility Officer?”       That was a humbling but eye opening experience from my first three months on the job as a Facility Security Officer (FSO) at a small cleared defense contractor. At the time, we only had one contract and very little classified work. However, as small as we were I still had to establish a security system to protect classified information. A major part of the job was institutionalizing my position so that everyone understood the role of the FSO .      I wasn’t above helping. Sometimes eve...

     The risk assessment helps FSOs focus countermeasures to protect classified information from actual identifiable threats by probability. Risk management helps the FSO determine how to protect the classified information above and beyond the NISPO M guidance. The same approach should be used in determining which parts of the NISPOM apply to an FSO’s facility. For example, a non possessing facility that performs classified work at another facility should not focus security efforts on protecting classified processing.                 However, they should focus their efforts on NISPOM chapters 1, 2, 3 and 6 parts of chapter 5 and Appendices A and C; the parts of NISPOM that apply to ALL cleared contractors.       The NISPOM’s first chapter is dedicated to general industrial security concerns. The chapter is divided into three sections which provide the introduction, general and reporting requirements.    ...

     "Jeff, I need to submit a security clearance request . What do I need to do?" one of our employees asked.      "First of all, you need justification . Can you tell me a little why you need a clearance? We can get started that way."      "Sure, I'd like to have a clearance to apply for a new job. Let's just keep that last part to ourselves."      "No problem, I won't tell people you are job hunting, but I won't be able to process a clearance for you," I responded. I tried really hard not to laugh.     “Really?” he asked incredulously.      Security clearances should only be requested for employees who have a valid reason, such as fulfilling actual classified work. Requesting clearances for the sake of having a clearance is no good reason to initiate a security clearance request. Some other bad security clearance ideas include:      To be able to enter a secure area for convenience ...