Appointing the Right FSO

The Cleared Contractor appoints a Facility Security Officer (FSO) to protect the work on classified contracts and provide important administrative functions to maintain the security clearance of the business and cleared employees. However, the FSO can be much more impacting by applying understanding of four important functions:

1.  How to protect classified information as it relates to the cleared contract, organizational growth, enterprise goals, and NISPOM guidance
2.  How to conduct a risk analysis
3.  Demonstrate cost, benefits and impact of supporting a classified contract under the NISPOM requirements and sustain an environment of cooperation and compliance within the enterprise.
4.  Influence and compel the senior leaders to make good decisions, support compliance and integrate security into the corporate culture.

After all, good industrial security practices protect against damage to national security, but could also impacts the organizations ability to work on and maintain classified contracts. The FSO is pivotal to the successful execution of classified contracts.

As the small enterprise grows, more and more experienced FSOs are beginning to understand a growing company’s needs and have returned to college finish their education. Colleges and universities are
now offering a variety of security and management degrees perfect for meeting the growing FSO education requirements. Professional organizations also offer security certifications. Consequently, the pool of
experienced and educated FSOs is growing. Cleared defense contractor executives should clearly consider the FSO job description and list the exact qualifications desired before posting the position as a job announcement.


Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing Red Bike Publishing . Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing in a Specialized Industry" and "Commitment-A Novel". Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook", "ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual", and NISPOM/FSO Training" See Red Bike Publishing for print copies of: Army Leadership, The Ranger Handbook, The Army Physical Readiness Manual, Drill and Ceremonies, The ITAR,and The NISPOM