Security Executive Blog

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 .  Prior to sending classified information via commercial carriers, the holder of the classified information should gain approval of the intent to ship and the method of shipment.  Once the approval is gained, the shipper should properly prepare the product and coordinate the shipment with the government, shipper, and receiver. Question: Do your cleared employees understand their safeguarding responsibilities? Answer: NISPOM 5-100. General . Contractors shall be responsible for safeguarding classified information in their custody or under their control. This includes classified material controls that govern procedures or capabilities that deny, deter, and detect any unauthorized attempt to gain access to classified information. NISPOM Chapter 5 ...

Traveling with classified information. The other day as I traveled home from work I thought about my coffee pot. Did I turn it off? Am I sure it’s off? How do I know it’s off? The only way I was able to hold anxiety back is to recall my end of day process and determine with conviction that I had indeed turned it off. Imagine how the anxiety increase if you can’t recall whether or not you secured the security container, removed classified information from the printer, or set alarms. Well, the dedicated security professional understands the need for process, procedure, and end of day check lists. Without these controls, many would have a hard time sleeping. You may be able to recall news reports, security awareness training, briefings, or other notifications where someone has had unattended sensitive information stolen from their rooms, vehicles, or other location while in transit. These incidents are preventable with application of process and procedure. This prior ...

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 .  Prior to sending cleared employees to courier or escort classified material, the holder of the classified information should gain authorization. Classfied information should not leave the facilities without the authorization to do so, a complete inventory of the items to be removed, and the intent to protect it from unauthorized disclosure, loss, or theft.   NISPOM 5-410. Use of Couriers, Hand Carriers, and Escorts. Contractors who designate cleared employees as couriers, hand carriers, and escorts shall ensure: c. The employee retains classified material in his or her personal possession at all times. Arrangements shall be made in advance of departure for overnight storage at a U.S. Government installation or at a cleared contractor's facility that has appr...

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 . Question: Are couriers, hand carriers, and escorts properly briefed? Answer: NISPOM 5-410. Use of Couriers, Hand Carriers, and Escorts. Contractors who designate cleared employees as couriers, hand carriers, and escorts shall ensure: a. They are briefed on their responsibility to safeguard classified information. b. They possess an identification card or badge which contains the contractor's name and the name and a photograph of the employee. Classified information should not be hand carried unless approved by the government. When authorized to do so, cleared defense contractors should designate or appoint a cleared employee and enable them to hand carry the material. However, before transporting the classified information, there are some requirements the courier mus...

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 .   Prior to sending classified information via commercial carriers, the holder of the classified information should gain approval of the intent to ship and the method of shipment.  Once the approval is gained, the shipper should properly prepare the product and coordinate the shipment with the government, shipper, and receiver. Question: Are classified shipments made only in accordance with the NISPOM or instructions from the contracting authority? Answer: NISPOM 5-408 addresses SECRET Transmission by Commercial Carrier.  In an earlier article, “shipping Classified Information with Commercial Carriers ”, we discussed the coordinating shipping with the DSS, government customer, and carriers. We also covered the GSA website listing approved comme...

Get your copy @ www.redbikepublishing.com If you are serious about advancing in your field, get ISP certified. Some are reluctant to take the test, but they just need the confidence earned through practice. Here's a way to get 440 practice questions. First, to meet minimum test requirements an applicant should have five years experience working in the NISPOM environment. If that’s you, then you are a technical expert and know the business of protecting classified information. Second, study the NISPOM and use sample questions to practice, practice, and practice. It can help you prepare for the test. Using practice tests to augment your ISP exam preparation can help. According to reader comments and emails to the author, many who have bought our book , NISPOM flashcards , and ISP Test Tips to augment their preparation have performed very well on the exam. Taking practice tests is the best way to prepare for an exam. Successful students in grade school and college study using...

According to the December 6, 2016 article by Scott Nicholas in Defense & National Security , t he Defense Security Service (DSS) has cleared development plans for insider-threat programs from 5,532 contractors. These have met National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) requirements, and will meet the DSS standards during the annual review. The roughly 5,500 contractor facilities translates to more than 7,700 Insider Threat Program Senior Officials (ITPSO) designated insider threat program. Additionally, these 5,532 contractors have provided Insider Threat Program (ITP) plans either in depth or as the bare minimum outlined in DSS’s sample template for an Insider Threat Program.  Below is a summary of the template with some explanation : The first part of the template demonstrates outlines the purpose, policies, and demonstrates the contractor understands the ITP requirements.  The organization identifies themselves by name and lists the respon...