Security Executive Blog

NISPOM @  http://www.redbikepublishing.com/book/nispom/ 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. 1. The foreign government designation of RESTRICTED should be given what level of protection in the U.S.? a. SECRET b. TOP SECRET c. CONFIDENTIAL d. UNCLASSIFIED e. FOUO 2. May the CSA approve multiple stops while a contract employee hand-carries classified between countries? a. Yes, if approved secure contractor storage is available b. Never, only non-stop flights are authorized c. Yes, if approved secure Government storage is available d. Yes, as long as classified never leaves courier sight e. None of the above 3. Contractors must inventory classified material and keep them at the minimum amount necessary for _____ and _____ operations. a. Fast,...

    Happy New Year DoD security and risk management professionals. A new year, a new beginning; a great motto and motivational phrase. As such, this is the time of year to reflect upon your accomplishments and develop goals. Some of these goals impact only you, but may actually impact your organization. If your goals include professional certification and education, then use this article as a roadmap to get you there. You may be aware of the many available certifications and this article addresses two prominent ones; Industrial Security Professional (ISP) ® and the Security Professional Education Development (SPeD) certifications. Both certifications are great ways to demonstrate professional competence that brings credit to the certified professional and the organization they support. The ISP ® certification The ISP ® certification is sponsored by NCMS and is based on the DoD, 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NIS...

In this weeks 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 5-308. 5-308 Is the number of people possessing knowledge of the combinations to security containers kept to a minimum? Not every employee needs the combination to the security container. The combinations should be provided to those with the proper clearance and need to know. This is the maximum number of individuals who should have it, but a minimum standard as far as combination accountability. After all, the security container combination is classified at the same level as the highest level of information stored in the container.  Clearance and need to know of the contents aside, maintaining control of combinations should include keeping access to the security container at a minimum amount necessary to manage good information security. For ex...

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. 1. TOP SECRET information can be transmitted by which of the following methods within the U.S. and its territories? a. Defense Courier Service, if authorized by GCA b. A courier cleared at the SECRET level c. By electrical means over FSO approved secured communication devices d. By government vehicle e. By U.S. Postal Service Registered Mail 2. SECRET information can be transmitted by which of the following means? a. Registered mail b. Cleared commercial carrier c. As designated in writing by GCA d. Commercial company approved by CSA e. All the above 3. Contractors who designate cleared employees as couriers shall ensure all EXCEPT: a. They are briefed on responsibilities to safeguard classified information b. They p...

What to protect; decisions, decisions. It seems that there are acronyms developed with the ingenuity and fluidity of American innovation. The same innovation that enhances our military capability also comes with a set of warnings and new titles and acronyms that demand increased attention. While new acronyms and technology protections are identified, reliance continues on fundamental protection measures that rarely change. More and more evident is the growing volume of U.S. defense information categories that demand protection and are not necessarily classified. If not identified and protected, unclassified U.S. defense information could be accessed by unauthorized persons. Unclassified defense information comes in many forms and acronyms includes military critical technology, proprietary information, intellectual property, company secrets, Export Administration Regulation (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) controlled technology, controlled unclassified informat...

HTTP://www.redbikepublishing.com In this installation of the Defense Security Service (DSS) Self Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors, we’ll review the  National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual ( NISPOM ), Paragraph 5-306b. Here is the question:                                                     5-306b       Has DSS approval been granted for the open shelf or bin storage commonly known as “open storage” of documents in Closed Areas? Though we have covered the storage of classified information in earlier articles, this writing will address storage of classified information specific to these closed areas. See if you can find the differences. According to ...

Welcome to National Industrial Security Program Operation Manual ( NISPOM ) 5-306 portion of the Defense Security Service’s (DSS) Self Inspection Handbook for NISP Contractors. This section covers closed area construction as identified in the NISPOM.  Here is the question:                                             5-306 Are Closed Areas constructed in accordance with the requirements of the NISPOM? Where the size or operational environment of the classified material may prove unsuitable for storage in a GSA approved security container or vault, a closed area might be the right solution. If a closed area is needed, DSS and the contactor should agree to the construction of the closed area as early as possible in the contract or a qualifying an existing as soo...