Security Executive Blog

We recently spoke with Rhonda of Safe Renewal about their new business model of restoring security containers and giving them bold new lives. “We prefer to call them safes as opposed to security container”, she reminds me again. “The word, safe just provides a more comforting tone than the more clinical description of GSA Approved Security Container. Because we are providing a “safe” place to keep classified documents.” In fact she shows me a banner with the Safe Renewal mission printed in fancy lettering: Refurbishing old safes for new purposes. Safe Renewal is looking for customers, in the Facility Security Officer (FSO) discipline who would like to provide security containers a zippy new look. “The traditional metallic and gray safes are so drab. That’s why I found it very hard to work in the FSO and security environment. Drab grays, oranges, blues, and reds, traditionally reflective of classified environments and markings always made me feel, well, blue.”  Rhond...

A Little Humor Dear FSO, I noticed that there is a strange glass container in the parking lot. It looked like someone was trying to make sun tea. Can you make a policy about this? It is really making our "facilities" look bad. Signed Tea me *** Dear Tea, According to NISPOM , Mail or shipments containing classified material shall be addressed to the Commander or approved classified mailing address of a Federal activity or to a cleared contractor using the name and classified mailing address of the facility. An individual's name shall not appear on the outer cover. This does not prevent the use of office code letters, numbers, or phrases in an attention line to aid in internal routing. Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing Red Bike Publishing . Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing i...

Maybe you think you are alone, fighting the one person fight that many leaders face. However, you would be wrong to assume that the head of security is the only one responsible for the security program. For cleared defense contractors, the Facility Security Officer is in charge of the security program, but not the only one with a vested interest in protecting classified contracts. So how does the FSO create a teaming environment or create a program where everyone works together?   Through High Power Teams High power teams (HPT) are the most effective types of entities. Where groups form, storm and norm, HPTs go further to create a body more capable than any individual. They do this by agreeing to rules and primarily keeping in mind that throughout any process or problem, it’s not about the individual, it’s about the group. This allows the organization to benefit as a whole as each member sacrifices their individual desires. The members do not lose or give up the individuality th...

Dear FSO, I was wondering if you were going to contribute to the coffee fund. I noticed that you were participating, but I need to sign you up. Coffee Joe, Dear Coffee, To have an effective security program it's important to have the organization buy into the security program from the top down. Having the most senior executive support and implement the security program into the entire company culture is key. The NISPOM also requires that the most senior officer of the company and the FSO to be cleared at the highest level of the facility clearance (FCL).

If you are a defence contractor, cleared contractor or cleared employee, try these questions. Want more, see http://www.redbikepublishing.com 1. The vice president of business development has just brought up the wonderful opportunity of selling an all weather capability the company produces for medical evacuation flights to a foreign owned company.  a. Suppose this item needs a license prior to export. Describe the first step an organization would take in consideration of a possible export. b. If the item is to be delivered to a foreign company just down the street, will export requirements still apply? 2. You are travelling as an authorized courier to deliver a package that contains classified information at the CONFIDENTIAL level. Upon arrival, the foreign government customs agent wants to take custody of the package. You present your credentials and attempt to talk her out of the idea. She informs you that as a representative of the foreign government, she is authorized to...

Commerically available IMS use information technology to create a detailed database that helps FSOs track classified material through many dispositions from receipt, inventory requirements and final disposition. Some produce receipts, tie to a barcode scanner, report statistical data that can help determine use and much more. For example, if an inventory reveals missing classified information, the database can provide valuable information to help reconstruct the classified information’s history.   Databases can be tied to scanner software. Barcodes can be printed and applied to classified items for scanning. If an item is destroyed, shipped, filed, loaned or returned, it can be scanned and the status updated. These databases provide reports identifying when and where the barcode on the classified document was scanned and the last disposition. The FSO can use the technology to research dates, methods of receipt, contract number, assigned document number, assigned barcode, title, c...

I recently went through an annual audit with the Defense Security Services while working on my full time job as an FSO for a Defense Contractor. I have always held dear the responsibility of implementing a security program designed to protect classified material. In that role, I try to create a positive environment while remaining vigilant of suspicious activities and possible compromise. During the course of the inspection, my attention was directed to our company's lack of warning sign. This sign was to be posted reminding employees and visitors that their personal effects are subject to search. I agreed that the NISPOM requires such a posting, but I did not understand how a sign would be helpful. We re-opened the NISPOM to try to better understand the intent. The sign is part of the program to prevent unauthorized introduction or removal of classified material from a contractor facility. I had only understood half of the intent, to prevent unauthorized removal. With the full und...