Security Executive Blog

Cleared contractor facility security officers (FSO) and security specialists have a unique challenge. They protect classified information and have lots of guidance on how to do so. However, they also have to figure out how to best protect sensitive information based on competitive budget requirements. Some of the forces acting on the budget include NISPOM , ITAR and other regulatory requirements as well as actions required by a thorough risk assessment The NISPOM is a proscriptive policy, meaning that FSOs and security specialists have a list of “to do” countermeasures to protect Government identified classified contract information . For example, a secret document should be stored in a GSA approved security container. Other solutions that appear proscribed are standard practices. Some industry standards include access control, alarms and CCTV. One might think they were required based on the general acceptance and wide use. For example, the NISPOM states that SECRET should b...

DSS provides initial training and special briefings to the FSO. The FSO is then authorized to provide the training to the cleared employees. According to NISPOM , the FSO is also required to attend the DSS mandated FSO Program Management Course within one year of appointment. This means that cleared contractors should be prepared to send a designated FSO to the DSS Academy for the training, or take the training on line. Either way, the FSO must be certified. DSS provides new courses designed for FSOs of possessing and non-possessing facilities. FSOs should coordinate with their DSS representative to determine the training that’s right for their situation. The training is designed to prepare the FSO to implement and direct a NISPOM based security program in their cleared contractor facility including, but not limited to the following topics: Protecting classified material – The proper receipt, accountability, storage, dissemination and destruction of classified material. ...

National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) is Not Just For Security Managers; It’s for Everyone. Large NISPOM Small NISPOM It’s not just for the FSO. Every Cleared employee should have a copy. Red Bike Publishing has published a book store quality NISPOM. A sleek new professionally designed cover adorns our product. This NISPOM includes updates from DSSand the Industrial Security Letters. Most companies print their own NISPOMs which sometimes yields poor quality and a hard to read product. Red Bike Publishing has added a professional edge to the NISPOM for about the same as it costs to print your own. Our publisher quality books have crisp writing that is refreshing to read. Your cleared employees may actually spend more time reading this. 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...