Security Executive Blog

We are continuing our analysis of the DSS’ The Self-Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors to determine requirements and best practices for meeting them. Since Section M has multiple inspection points, we have broken them up into individual articles.  This update addresses classified information and emergence procedures.  5-104 Are procedures developed for the safeguarding of classified material during an emergency? According to NISPOM Paragraph 5-104. Emergency Procedures,  “Contractors shall develop procedures for safeguarding classified material in emergency situations. The procedures shall be as simple and practical as possible and should be adaptable to any type of emergency that may reasonably arise. Contractors shall promptly report to the CSA any emergency situation that renders the facility incapable of safeguarding classified material.” An essential element to creating a security program to protect classified information involves not o...

The facility security officer should conduct an assessment of classified holdings to determine vulnerabilities, threats, and risk to classified information. This risk assessment is above and beyond what has been determined by the original classification authority (OCA) and as applies to the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Where the OCA has determined classification level, the NISPOM provides guidance on how to protect the classified information.  The mission piece is the defense contractor and how they protect the classified information by format and location. It's not always good enough to rely on NISPOM requirements as the environment may dictate additional countermeasures. For example, SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL information can be approved for storage in a GSA approved container. However, if the defense contractor is in a high crime area, additional physical security measures may be necessary.  That's where the 6 step risk management pro...

Try these NISPOM based questions and see how you do. You may find some answers in the NISPOM, but some you might just have to think about.  1. After receiving classified material, the receiver inventories the  contents and inspects the package. Name three items for possible  inspection? 2. You have just received a classified package. Upon comparing  the contents of the package with the receipt, you notice a misspelled  title. What should you do? 3. Who should the FSO or senior security specialist notify in the  event of a potential or suspected compromise of classified material? So how did you do? These questions and more can be found in DoD Security Clearance and Contracts Guidebook , as well as in NISPOM Training . Both resources provide excellent study material that may help with passing the ISP and SPeD certification exams.                               ...