Security Executive Blog

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...

So, which companies will win the Cogswell Award this year? FSOs who take the time to develop a world class program designed to protect classified information are very deserving of the award. Here are four proven steps to help you demonstrate that your organization is going “above and beyond” NISPOM requirements: 1. Set security goals that everyone understands. These goals help create the organization-wide security culture that everyone can live with. 2.   Conduct institutional training that support these goals. Ensure the training encourages your employees to report any and all security violations, suspicious contacts, and foreign travel, which will further enhance those efforts. 3. Goals should be tracked and institutional training and expectations should be conducted   in preparation for the annual security inspection. Do this by implementing a daily security management process, which includes physical security, visitor control, and security education throughout the ye...

Acronyms BL Bill of Lading CAGE Commercial and Government Entity CIA Central Intelligence Agency CM Configuration Management COMSEC Communications Security CSA Cognizant Security Agency CSO Cognizant Security Office DAA Designated Accrediting/Approving Authority DGR Designated Government Representative DNI Director of National Intelligence DoD Department of Defense DoE Department of Energy DSS Defense Security Service EAA Export Administration Act FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation FCL Facility (Security) Clearance FGI Foreign Government Information FOCI Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence FSO Facility Security Officer GCA Government Contracting Activity GSA General Services Administration IS Information System ISOO Information Security Oversight Office ISSM Information System Security Manager ISSO Information System Security Officer ITAR International Traffic in Arms Regulations LAA Limited Access Authorization MFO Multiple Facility Organization NACLC ...

Classification markings are applied to the top and bottom, front and back of classified items. Markings are also found in internal pages, paragraphs and other locations inside documents, books, manuals and other paper based products. Here are the top reasons for marking classified information: Warn and inform a user that an item is indeed classified or sensitive Conveys what exactly needs protection  Identifies levels of classification or sensitivity Provides vital information and instruction on when to downgrade or declassify the material Gives sources and reason for classifying the item Warns of special access, control, dissemination or safeguarding requirements Find out more in DoD Security and Contracts Guidebook -What You Need to Know About Your Need to Know 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...