Security Executive Blog

 Here's an interesting scenario. Imagine you are walking the floor and talking to employees when you approach a security container and employees who controlled its access. As part of your inspection, you wanted to verify all documents were properly marked and stored appropriately. After asking for the custodian to open the container, he pulled out his cell phone and began scrolling. you asked what he had been looking for and he stated: "I can't remember the combination, but I'm sure that it's in here somewhere." Whoa! Hold the presses. You immediately changed the combination, filed the necessary report, and investigated whether or not classified information was compromised (not necessarily in that order). You also provided a clear policy and training agenda and that problem disappeared. The story may be true or a similar situation may be familiar.    But here's the question: Do your employees really understand how to protect classified information? Some no...

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...

www.redbikepublishing.com This article continues the series covering the Self-Inspection Handbook For NISP Contractors and guidance found in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) Incorporating Change 2 .   When shipping classified information, the sender is responsible for requesting approval to use commercial carriers. The DSS or other Cognizant Security Agency (CSA) approves the use of commercial carriers. For overnight shipping, the Government Services Administration (GSA) provides a list of approved .  Question Does the contractor use a qualified carrier, authorized by the Government, when shipping classified material? 5-408. SECRET Transmission by Commercial Carrier. SECRET material may be shipped by a cleared commercial carrier that has been approved by the CSA to transport SECRET shipments. Cleared Commercial Carriers Department of Defense contractors may use government approved commercial carriers to transport SECR...

In this article continuing the coverage of the Defense Security Service (DSS) Self Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors, we'll review the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) , Paragraph 5-311a.                                     5-311a If any of your approved security containers have been repaired, do you have a signed and dated certification provided by the repairer setting forth the method of repair that was used? RESOURCE:  ISL 2006-01 Container Repairs under Industrial Security Letters at: http://www.cdse.edu/toolkits/fsos/safeguarding.html The NISPOM states: Repair of Approved Containers. Repairs, maintenance, or other actions that affect the physical integrity of a security container approved for storage of classified information shall be accomplished on...

Try these NISPOM based questions and see how you do. You may find some answers in the NISPOM, but some you might just have to think about. Whether  you are working on NISPOM training, FSO certification, or security awareness training, these questions can help.   Problems 1. You are an FSO of a growing defense contractor. One of the executives approaches you about the need for more space to conduct classified work. He is agreeable to implementing your recommendation to use a restricted area and would like you to prepare a security briefing for his team. Prior to your briefing, you conduct the necessary research. Describe the reason for a restricted area and when cleared employees would use a restricted area. Keep in mind access control and storage requirements. 2. You have just sat down to eat lunch and receive a phone call from a cleared employee. She tells you that the securi...

Can you believe that it is already October 2012? Where did this year go? So many things have happened. Some of the most obvious are reflected in school years beginning and ending, change in sporting events and seasons, vacations come and gone, and now we are forming planning committees to get ready for the corporate Christmas party. But, there are still more ominous events yet to take place. Are you ready? Are you even prepared to take on cataclysmic events of 2012? Earth Shaking Events At this time, you’re probably thinking about the Mayan calendar or even the upcoming election. However, I’m referring to something more impacting...As of October 2012 steel filing cabinets are no longer authorized to store classified information in. Who would have thought when the 2006 NISPOM arrived, we’d be at this point? But, here we are, six years later and hopefully we have planned accordingly to make the purchases early and budget to meet compliance; the Cognizant Security Office w...