Security Executive Blog

I've recently received many emails from people who are curious about security clearances and working for foreign owned companies. Though the volume of those questions have increased, I guess the topic is no longer surprising in content as it could have been many years ago. Many years ago, we might automatically assume that working for a foreign owned company would be indicative of highly questionable practices, but maybe not any longer.  Things have changed. More foreign owned companies are opening doors in the U.S. Internet opportunities open doors to employment. Working for foreign companies provides new opportunities regardless of boarders such as: investment, teleworking, and creative content services that allow artists to bid on customer jobs have made this more of a possibility.  But the questions have been pretty vague and hard to answer.  Am I allowed to work for a foreign company if I have a security clearance? Will I be able to get...

  Cleared Defense Contractors use classified information during performance of contracts. The Department of Defense makes the rules and governs how the classified contractors protect classified material. The Federal Government has published a policy appropriately titled: The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual ( NISPOM ). This page turner is sponsored by the Presidential Executive Order (E0)12829 for the protection of information classified under E.O. 12958, As Amended. Having poured over both publications and the updates, I can confidently assure you that they take this business very seriously.     When specific work declares performance objectives on classified efforts, provisions of the applicable DD Form 254 and Security Classification Guide (SCG) shall govern. Both the DD 254 and SCG spell out what specific work a contractor can and cannot perform, what exactly is classified and how to protect it. Both of these document...

A buzz is sweeping the security community since the industry has been notified of the recent updates to DoD's CUI program based on the presidential memorandum with the subject,  Designation and sharing of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) . This memorandum implements a program designed to encourage the speedy sharing of information to those authorized and to better protect the information, privacy and legal rights of Americans. The CUI program is designed to promote proper safeguarding and dissemination of unclassified information.       Many readers may be familiar with the program CUI has replaced. Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) information had enjoyed protection to a certain level but was not conducive to the necessary information sharing. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) directives provide procedures for a more appropriate Information Sharing Environment.     CUI is a designation of unclassified informati...