Beyond Compliance: Achieving Excellence in Defense Industrial Security

Abstract : The Defense Industrial Security Program (DISP) was established to ensure that classified information released to industry is properly safeguarded. It encompasses approximately 12,000 contractor organizations and 900,000 cleared employees. With regard to the protection of classified government information, the heart of the DISP is the security program in place at each of the contractor sites. Facility security officers (FSOs) play a key role in translating Department of Defense (DoD) security requirements into organization specific Standard Practice Procedures that serve as the security manuals for defense contractor sites. FSOs are tasked with implementing and maintaining security programs that meet DoD security requirements as presented in the DOD 5220.22-M, Industrial Security Manual for Safeguarding Classified information (ISM). However, rules and procedures alone do not guarantee acceptance and compliance by cleared employees. FSOs must ensure commitment to security requirements through support from management and other key groups, and through security education and training programs. FSOs must be effective managers if their programs are going to be successful. Keywords: Military publications; Periodicals; Reports.