This section continues our discussion of the DSS’ The Self-Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors. Now we are in Section M Classified Storage. So, here is the question:
5-102a Is there a system of security checks at the close of each working day to ensure that classified material is secured?
Security checks help, period. However, they are only as good as the purpose they serve. Many times these checks are just a list of mundane actions forced on an employee to complete before they go home. Many times the checks are performed by employees on a duty roster pulling the job for a week at a time leaving at various times of the day.
The real intent is to ensure classified information is locked up and inaccessible by uncleared personnel and those without need to know. Desktops, trash bins, printers, copiers are checked to ensure classified information has not been left unsecured.
GSA approved security containers are checked and initialed to ensure they are closed and locked properly. Closed area locks are checked as well as security alarms. The list goes on to ensure all situations where classified information has previously been available has been secured and compromise has been mitigated.
Now, security checks are important and so is the responsible party doing the checking. Often, any employee with a clearance is given the "duty". However, diligence should be made to ensure the checks are made at the right time.
Here's a little hint at inherent, but rarely pondered danger.
The end of day checks should be performed at the end of the duty day and not the end of the day for the employee on duty.
Did you get the play on words?
The danger with a duty roster in many cases is that some employees performing the end of the day checks may not normally stay until the end of the duty day. Where the employee might leave at 3 pm, other employees might not leave until 5 pm. The two hour time difference is simply not providing the proper mitigation.
Within that two hours, an employee could reenter a closed area, open a security container, have a classified meeting, and etc. Life goes on after the designated end of day checker goes home.
Out side the box ideas:
1. Have employees performing the duty alter their work schedule accordingly. Make sure that someone is covering down on the end of day checks at the end of the day.
Some even go so far as to put safety and housekeeping information as well.
2. Have a last call for classified information. If the normal duty day ends at 5 pm, ensure all classified information is secured by 4:45. Of course there are emergencies and case by case issues that can be dealt with upon request.
3. Assign end of day checks to only employees who leave at the end of the day. Build in additional "beginning of the day" performance measures for employees who arrive earlier in the day.
Another common problem is using the end of day check for safety and house cleaning. Re-think a separate check list for those issues. Employees should be focusing efforts on securing classified information, not ensuring the coffee pot is turned off.
Hang on to those end of day check lists. DSS will want to see them during the review. Be sure to check for them during your self-inspection.
We've covered this discussion in depth in 2012 and 2013 posts. As a reminder here are the links for further discussion of this important issue:
http://dodsecurity.blogspot.
http://dodsecurity.blogspot.
Though not required by NISPOM, government forms are available on line for use or just to serve as model in the strengthening of security programs. Companies are free to use these forms or create their own. The government forms are available online. One such form is the Activity Security Check List, Standard Form 701. Again, unless the contract or Government agency requires the use of a specific format, the company is free to adapt their own version.
Security checks help, period. However, they are only as good as the purpose they serve. Many times these checks are just a list of mundane actions forced on an employee to complete before they go home. Many times the checks are performed by employees on a duty roster pulling the job for a week at a time leaving at various times of the day.
The real intent is to ensure classified information is locked up and inaccessible by uncleared personnel and those without need to know. Desktops, trash bins, printers, copiers are checked to ensure classified information has not been left unsecured.
GSA approved security containers are checked and initialed to ensure they are closed and locked properly. Closed area locks are checked as well as security alarms. The list goes on to ensure all situations where classified information has previously been available has been secured and compromise has been mitigated.
Now, security checks are important and so is the responsible party doing the checking. Often, any employee with a clearance is given the "duty". However, diligence should be made to ensure the checks are made at the right time.
Here's a little hint at inherent, but rarely pondered danger.
The end of day checks should be performed at the end of the duty day and not the end of the day for the employee on duty.
Did you get the play on words?
The danger with a duty roster in many cases is that some employees performing the end of the day checks may not normally stay until the end of the duty day. Where the employee might leave at 3 pm, other employees might not leave until 5 pm. The two hour time difference is simply not providing the proper mitigation.
Within that two hours, an employee could reenter a closed area, open a security container, have a classified meeting, and etc. Life goes on after the designated end of day checker goes home.
Out side the box ideas:
1. Have employees performing the duty alter their work schedule accordingly. Make sure that someone is covering down on the end of day checks at the end of the day.
Some even go so far as to put safety and housekeeping information as well.
2. Have a last call for classified information. If the normal duty day ends at 5 pm, ensure all classified information is secured by 4:45. Of course there are emergencies and case by case issues that can be dealt with upon request.
3. Assign end of day checks to only employees who leave at the end of the day. Build in additional "beginning of the day" performance measures for employees who arrive earlier in the day.
Another common problem is using the end of day check for safety and house cleaning. Re-think a separate check list for those issues. Employees should be focusing efforts on securing classified information, not ensuring the coffee pot is turned off.
Hang on to those end of day check lists. DSS will want to see them during the review. Be sure to check for them during your self-inspection.
We've covered this discussion in depth in 2012 and 2013 posts. As a reminder here are the links for further discussion of this important issue:
http://dodsecurity.blogspot.
http://dodsecurity.blogspot.
Though not required by NISPOM, government forms are available on line for use or just to serve as model in the strengthening of security programs. Companies are free to use these forms or create their own. The government forms are available online. One such form is the Activity Security Check List, Standard Form 701. Again, unless the contract or Government agency requires the use of a specific format, the company is free to adapt their own version.
Consider visiting Red Bike Publishing for training that you can download and present to cleared employees as well as present to DSS during the annual review.
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| GSA Security Container Magnets http://www.redbikepublishing.com/book/magnet/ |
Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing Red Bike Publishing . He regularly consults, presents security training, and recommends export compliance and intellectual property protection countermeasures. He is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. 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".
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