Security Executive Blog

Leaders at all levels can promote a better security environment and professionalism. Whether full time employees devoted to protecting national security or a VP of contracting, leaders set goals for their employees. Part of those goals should help help understand how to create incredible security programs. Focusing on training, interaction with other cleared employees, self-improvement and institutional education should be part of professional development. Those who write security evaluations for direct reports create goals to challenge them to become better at their jobs, more impactful in their careers and hopefully, groomed to become leaders themselves. Challenging employees and team members to achieve personal and professional goals breeds success. The ISP Certificatio n is one goal FSO's could take as a goal as well as encourage other employees to achieve for several reasons. 1. The employee gains from such education and a prestigious career milestone. 2. The defense co...

Acronyms BL Bill of Lading CAGE Commercial and Government Entity CIA Central Intelligence Agency CM Configuration Management COMSEC Communications Security CSA Cognizant Security Agency CSO Cognizant Security Office DAA Designated Accrediting/Approving Authority DGR Designated Government Representative DNI Director of National Intelligence DoD Department of Defense DoE Department of Energy DSS Defense Security Service EAA Export Administration Act FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation FCL Facility (Security) Clearance FGI Foreign Government Information FOCI Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence FSO Facility Security Officer GCA Government Contracting Activity GSA General Services Administration IS Information System ISOO Information Security Oversight Office ISSM Information System Security Manager ISSO Information System Security Officer ITAR International Traffic in Arms Regulations LAA Limited Access Authorization MFO Multiple Facility Organization NACLC ...

Cleared employees who perform on classified contracts should be able to recognize what is classified and know how to protect the classified material based on the markings provided. Classified information comes in many forms. Classified objects and products are marked on the top, bottom, sides, front and back. If the item is bulky, odd shaped or otherwise a size and configuration that makes mandatory marking difficult, the markings should be placed as clearly as possible to convey the proper classification level. Multiple page classified documents have many places reserved for classification markings. Additionally, the source of classification, reason for classification, and duration are applied to classified items. Derived classifications will have a statement indicating from where the classified information came. While working with classified items, cleared employees are responsible for challenging any classified information...

Classified information should only be reproduced in response to a contractual requirement such as in the performance of a deliverable. Reproduction should not be made as a matter of convenience as it puts classified information at unnecessary risk and it requires dedicated resources. The FSO can enforce resource discipline with: 1.  Creating processes and procedures identifying reproduction only as necessary and using only approved equipment 2. Ensuring only trained and authorized personnel are able to reproduce classified information. 3. Identifying office equipment, copy machines, scanners and other reproduction equipment for classified information reproduction. All other enterprise equipment should be off limits to classified reproduction. This can be accomplished through signs identifying authorized equipment as “Approved for Classified Production at the _______ level”. Other equipment would be identified as “Not au...