Security Specialist and FSO Professional Development

 

I’m Jeff Bennett and you probably know me as the founder of Red Bike Publishing and our store, NISPOM Central.

I want to share a few emails with you about professional development and if you need it, assist you with a clear path to NISPOM compliance or becoming and FSO.

May I share with you my experience with professional development and path to FSO, author, speaker and consultant?

If so, stay with me, because over the next few days I'll answer the question so many have asked:

How do I become an FSO?

  • We'll break down some basic skills and how to acquire them

How do I grow in my career?

  • We'll break down training and certification opportunities that will help you establish credibility.

Over the next few days I'll send out my plan. The plan covers the following topics:

  1. NISPOM foundation
  2. Developing education goals
  3. Engaging with professional development opportunities
  4. Creating influence and credibility in the community
  5. Becoming invaluable to your organization

On to Topic 1 NISPOM Foundation

You might already know this.

While NISPOM is the foundation of security programs and classified work performance, the only way to get a NISPOM is to download it.

Guess what, your employees and coworkers who work everyday in NISPOM, may not have a copy.

There are very few places to get a quality copy of NISPOM and print copies are just not available.

Understanding NISPOM is the foundation of any security career in the cleared defense industrial base. The way to start and address your career is to read and understand the NISPOM.

Believe it or not, not too many professionals actually read NISPOM. Even fewer can interpret it and apply to their organizations. I realized this early in my career when I struggled with actually getting a copy.

Here is a goal I set long ago in my organization. It's called "A NISPOM in Every Hand". NISPOM isn't just for FSOs and security professionals. It's also for those who perform on classified contracts, contracts administrators, human resources, Senior Management Officials and Key Management Personnel. How will they know to perform under NISPOM compliance if they don't read it?

When I left the Army, I was encouraged to work as a defense contractor. The specific job was working for a Facility Security Officer (FSO) in a large organization. While I knew a lot about security and had a clearance, I didn't know how to do this job. 

I asked what the job entailed and the most specific comment I received was "Comply with NISPOM".

The only option I had at the time was to download a copy from the internet. 

I downloaded the copy and had a difficulty time reading it. My reading options for the download copy were few:

  • Read on computer
  • Print and staple
  • Print and use plastic combs
  • Print and put in a three ring binder
  • Many of you also know that that is labor intensive and low quality and little durability

I printed copies of NISPOM to read using the company resources. Between copier jams, low ink, and multiple attempts at stapling or binding, I realized each copy cost an average of $20.

I promised myself that if I could this and make the NISPOM available to others, I would.

I started Red Bike Publishing and have been providing print quality NISPOM and security books ever since.

As I said earlier, NISPOM is not just for security professionals. Everyone who works on defense contracts should have a copy. How else would they understand how to be compliant in their areas of expertise?

Our books cover high quality, high durability, and many options and sizes. Save yourself the hassle of printing your own copies, let us supply your employees with NISPOM.

This printing of the 32 CFR Part 117, NISPOM includes the latest addresses Cleared Defense Contractor and employee responsibilities including:

  • NISPOM Rule SEAD 3 Reporting Requirements
  • Limited entity eligibility determination (Non-FOCI) and limited entity eligibility
  • TOP SECRET Information Accountability
  • Senior Management Official (SMO) roles
  • Intrusion Detection Systems
  • Cleared Employee Travel Reporting
  • Security Clearances
  • Required Training and Briefings
  • Classification and Markings
  • Safeguarding Classified Information
  • Classified Contracts and Subcontracts
  • ITPSO Roles
  • and much more

Buy NISPOM here

Customer Reviews

"Great job-related tool!"

"Long gone is my big and bulky 3 ring binder. This book (NISPOM) takes up a fraction of the room on your desk, and is portable enough to take to any security meeting."

"I prefer books… and not digital copies. I carry it with me everywhere."

We also hope you will refer colleagues and coworkers. If you do, be sure to sign up for our affiliate program and earn 30%.

Affiliate link, just in case...https://af.uppromote.com/e090df-d3/register

I hope you look forward to additional emails and hope you find this helpful.

All the best,

Jeff

NISPOM Central

Link to our store

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