Security Executive Blog

Wow, New Year’s Eve has come and gone, and many of us are reflecting on our goals. It’s traditional to plan events as the calendar rolls over to a new year. It’s great to dream big and visualize these goals, it’s quite another to actually reach them. So let’s talk professional goals, the NCMS’ ISP Certification and CDSE's ISOC are great ones to strive for. It’s one thing to dream and another to plan. The difference is what you do from the vision to make it a reality. Here are some deliberate actions you can use to help develop a plan to become ISP Certified. 1.  Begin at the NCMS, ISP Certification information website @ http://www.ncms-isp.org/ISP_Certification/index.asp . There you can find ISP Certification testimonials, brochures, application and other information about the certification. When you review the qualification, study and application information, begin with the end in mind. If your goal is to become ISP Certified , gather all the data needed and determine the possi...

A Facility Security Officer (FSO) should put careful consideration into the security budget. This is a primary opportunity in the continuing plan of building credibility. The manager who arbitrarily throws in a number with meritless base is sending the wrong message. However, a well thought out line item count based on risk management, company mission and NISPOM requirements is more apt to impress and build instant respect. The budget contribution should enforce and support a message the FSO is constantly communicating. The budget request should not be first time executives are introduced to figures. Management support or lack of support of a security budget demonstrates either a well received or an unsupported security program. The intuitive FSO understands business, the company mission and how the role of protecting classified material fits. In that environment, the FSO provides a risk assessment based on the threat appraisal and speaks intelligently of the procedures, equipment and...

I catch myself watching fun Youtube videos. Some of my favorites are watching consumers open my favorite products and orienting me on how to use them. The unpacking causes excitement and the by item unpacking and layout of what to expect helps me understand my product better.  In the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual ( NISPOM ), we have a similar package "reveal". Security specialists, document control professionals, facility security officers and others in possessing facilities may receive classified information, depending on the contract. Part of the receipt is the critical inspection of the package during the integration process.  As they unwrap the package, the inspector is orienting themselves to better understand what they should be receiving. This begins by inspecting the package physically, then comparing the contents with the receipt. They are also searching for evidence of tampering or to otherwise to inspect that there has been no compromise of ...

In the course of performing on classified defense contracts, exchange of classified information is inevitable. While, the movement of classified information outside of a secure environment is to be kept to a minimum, there are times it must be moved in fulfillment of requirements.  When movement is necessary, the party responsible for movement should determine whether or not the classified information is necessary at the gaining organization, the organization is cleared to the appropriate level, and that there is a contractual need to know. Then they should provide the classified information in the appropriate format, using the approved methods. For example, a SECRET document can be hand carried, provided on a disc, emailed, or faxed.     Once the classified information is on-site, the receiving CDC takes over. There are many reasons for transporting classified material. These include conferences, classes, engineering, services or any other environment where it is needed....