Security Executive Blog

This article continues the series covering the Self-Inspection Handbook For NISP Contractors and guidance found in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) Incorporating Change 2 . Question:  Is all classified material, regardless of its physical form, marked properly? The topic of Classification Markings covers eight of 138 NISPOM pages. That’s almost 5% of the NISPOM’s attention. That’s because the entire success of the Facility Security Officers security program to protection classified information depends on properly marked classified material and cleared employees’ responses to the requirements. This first article on the topic will cover classification markings at a high level, while future installments will drill down into specific actions and examples of best practices. According to NISPOM: 4-200. General. Physically marking classified information with appropriate classification markings serves to warn and inform holders of the i...

Taking practice tests is the best way to prepare for an exam. Successful students in grade school and college study using guides and exam preparation questions based on the test subject material. This same successful methodology can also help prepare for professional exams like ISP Certification and SPeD Certification. DSS has study material and tests available for those who enrol, NCMS has test study material as well. Practice tests augment certification exam preparation. Red Bike Publishing's Unofficial Study Guide features four complete test length practice exams based on NISPOM . It could help you pass the ISP and SPeD certification exams. Try these questions to see how you do: 1. All the following provide an appropriate proof of U.S. citizenship EXCEPT: a. Driver’s license b. Birth Certificate c. Expired Passport d. DD Form 1966 e. Current Passport 2. Announcements of meetings shall be _____ and require go...

This week begins the summer conference schedule. There is so much security and cyber education and training available to help attendees keep up with credits, work experience and goals.  One such event is NCMS's 52d Annual Training Seminar in Nashville. Hundreds of National Industrial Security (NISP) Professionals will be on hand to learn more about their craft, industry updates, NISPOM Changes, best practices, and much more. Experts will be on hand to share experiences and lead seminars. Industry vendors will also demonstrate their capabilities. Just recently DoD released NISPOM Conforming Change 2 with plenty of updates and changes including Chapter 8 as well as new requirementsje such as Insider Threat considerations. Also, CDSE has released the corresponding Self-Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors to reflect all changes. Another great opportunity is ISP Certification training and testing. Good luck to all the attendees and future ISP Certified professional...

Self-Inspection Handbook F or the past two years, we’ve been writing articles with the goal of helping FSOs manage their security programs. Hopefully we’ve provided a useful service and hope to continually do so. The greatest driver of our articles has been the Self-Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors. This format has provided plenty of material for articles that the reader can implement immediately. Fortunately there have been many updates to the NISPOM and related guidance and tools. Recently the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) has incorporated Change 2 and the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) has released the updated 2016 Self-Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors. This handbook covers the latest NISPOM incorporating Change 2 and is an outstanding tool for novice and seasoned FSOs to perform a risk based assessment of their security program to protect classified information. We will continue to write articles and do ou...