Security Executive Blog

ITAR Though not as sinister and espionage riddled as most savvy spy novels, export compliance is an issue that will get Defense contractors in trouble. Violating State Department regulations will bring the weight of the US Government on the offending company. According to the International Traffic In Arms Regulation, ITAR , “Any person who engages in the United States in the business of either manufacturing or exporting defense articles or furnishing defense services is required to register”. Cleared contractors must have a plan not only to protect classified information, but also to prevent the unauthorized transfer of technical information and data." Unauthorized transfer of technical data can occur in a variety of ways. Keep in mind that exports can and do occur not only during shipments but when hosting foreign visitors, during meetings, trade shows, plant tours, chat-room discussions, published articles and many other means. You can even export technical items exposed on...

Today I finished up a short but very rewarding eight hour seminar on the International Traffic In Arms Regulation (ITAR) Overview. I am grateful to the staff at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the North Alabama Trade Association for both sponsoring the event and allowing me to present. I found the course rewarding as I presented to a mixed audience of 30 professionals ranging from shipping and receiving specialists to executive vice presidents. The mix also consisted of professionals with various degrees of know-how as consultants, attorneys, technology control officers and those brand new to the field shared experiences and learned from one another. As a compliance officer in various disciplines, I have had the privilege of leading security and compliance teams and seminars on multiple topics Though this was my first of hopefully many export regulations seminars, I noticed the similar need in the compliance field. Regardless of the discipline, compliance works be...

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 ...

According to the headline from Defense News, U.S. Defense Tech Security Called 'Swiss Cheese', the defense industry is in for increased challenges with international operations. Obviously this should alert FSO’s and security specialists to a whole new world of subcontracting or outsourcing defense work to foreign countries. This story has been going on for a while now as major news sources report the “benefits” of a weaker U.S. dollar. These benefits include, the ability of foreign countries to do business with U.S. Industry. Foreign countries now have more money to pay for our products and services. This is very attractive and appealing to U.S. companies needing the cash. This can be good news if the business is conducted properly. Well prepared industrial security professionals know how to address these challenges and lead their companies to compliance success. What can security do? First of all, stay abreast of company activities and develop relationships with contracts, pur...

Does that headline get your attention? Computer World has published an article in their online magazine about random computer searches conducted at our borders. Lawyers have taken the fight that this violates peoples rights and circuit courts are holding that border agencies do have the right to search the laptops of any travelers crossing the boarder. Does this really raise an alarm within the security community, or is the article based on fears of privacy invasions? I’ll leave the last part of question for the courts, and gladly use the article as a good training resource for security managers and executives. The first implication is that this activity should not be surprising. Anytime an employee travels abroad, they SHOULD expect to be liberated from your computer at the host country’s customs. They should also expect to have the hard drive duplicated, files read and etc. These are the contingencies for which astute security specialists plan. As with all bad news (hopefully this is...

Recently, Latifi, and executive and owner of Axion Corp has been vendicated of Export Violation charges filed by the U.S. Government. Though not as sinister and espionage riddled as other recent news events, it demonstrates the grave attention the State Department gives to contractor activities. Not only must DoD contractor companies mind the store concerning classified projects, but they must be prepared to live above reproach while dealing with foreign entities. In this case, the leader of Axion had no mal intent but though acquitted, lost his clients and company. A little education for those who desire to pursue contracts with foreign persons; the U.S. Government encourages companies to pursue business with foreign enterprises. However, there are rules in effect that govern such exporting. Exporting is defined as the business of: • Sending or taking hardware out of the U.S. or transferring to a foreign person in the U.S. • Disclosing (oral, email, written, video, or other visual di...