Security Executive Blog

Cover designed by Jeffrey W. Bennett. NISPOM available at Red Bike Publishing Why is the CLASSIFIED BY: Line so important? Let’s put it in perspective. Someone is responsible for classification decisions and that person may be accountable for their actions. This is also the person who can provide insight into security violation investigations and etc. The impact; this is the person to go to for research into the classification as well as who is accountable for classification decisions good or bad. Let’s face it; someone has to answer for their decisions. That’s why developing a process for deriving classified information is so important. So, we know the requirements in the BY line, all we now need is a tool or process to identify how to identify source documents for derivative classification. First, what tool do we have available to research derivative classification? According to DoD Security Clearance and Contracts guidebook, the NISPOM addresses the requirement to accoun...

ISP Certification 1. The _____ or _____ may inspect and monitor contractor, licensee, grantee, and certificate holder programs and facilities. a. Secretary of Defense, NRC b. Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Defense c. Secretary of Energy, FBI d. Secretary of Defense, DSS e. Secretary of Energy, Chairman of NRC 2. The requirement for heads of agencies to enter into agreement with the Secretary of Defense as the Executive agent for the NISP is: a. Reference a b. Executive order 12958 c. NISPOM d. Reference c e. Reference d 3. The CSA shall forward the names of cleared and briefed employees who shall serve as FSO, COMSEC and alternate COMSEC custodians to the: a. COR, GCA  b. NSA c. DoD d. DIA e. DOE 4. “The transfer of articles and _____ and related technical data to a foreign person…constitutes an export”. a. Services  b. Books c. Tools d. Weapons e. Aircraft The Answers (scroll down...

As a security manager in a National Industrial Security Program organization, you’ll get a lot of interesting questions. You should be prepared to answer them with confidence and ease. Many you’ll have to look up because they will probably come from outer field. However, there are some very popular questions asked many times over. Here are some of those questions: Where does classified information come from? The US Government created a system to classified and protect sensitive information In the National Industrial Security Program, classified information is marked CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET and TOP SECRET. TOP SECRET has more restrictions than SECRET and SECRET has more than CONFIDENTIAL. So, who determines the classification levels? Executive order 12958, As Amended provides instruction for appointment of trained government Original Classification Authorities (OCA). The OCAs evaluate programs and associated information, equipment, services and etc to determine whether or not they are c...

I am currently working on Chapter Five of my new book, "Managing the Security of Classified Information and Contracts". Chapter Five reviews the Executive Orders and regulations relating to Classification Markings and there is some good information from all sources. I believe this good information is fundamental to the profession of Intelligence and Security Officers. Understanding why and how information is classified is vital to knowing exactly what to protect and how. There are a few hard and fast rules for classifying information. In cases where items may be assigned an original classification, four conditions must be met. • An original classification authority is applying the classification level • The U.S. Government owns, is producing, or is controlling the information • Information meets one of eight categories • The Original Classification Authority determines unauthorized disclosure could cause damage to national security to include transnational terrorism and they ...