Industrial Security Field Operations

The Mission of Industrial Security Field Operations (ISFO) is to provide security oversight of the National Industrial Security Program and minimize vulnerabilities in cleared industry.

Industrial Security Representatives, Information System Security Professionals, and Adjudicators support the agency's overarching mission by clearing industrial facilities, personnel, and associated information systems; providing oversight and guidance to cleared industry; and assessing the security posture of cleared industry.

The Vision of the ISFO is to serve as a "first responder" to Industry for industrial security matters, creating a partnership with our Industry stakeholders to continuously improve security of classified information in support of national security and the warfighter.

The Industrial Security Field Operations (ISFO) staff consists of the following headquarters components:

Contact Us

For questions or comments regarding the contents of this site, please contact the Industrial Security Field Operations (ISFO) via the mailbox link below. For all other industrial security policy related questions, please contact your local DSS field office.

Industrial Security Field Operations News

October 12, 2012 - Defense Security Service's October 2012 Newsletter to Industry
DSS publishes a monthly newsletter to industry updating relevant industrial security information, policy and training. If you are a FSO and are not receiving this newsletter, please contact your assigned Industrial Security Representative to ensure DSS has your correct email address.

August 24, 2012 - National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Meeting Industry Questions, May 2012

August 14, 2012 - DSS releases ISL 2012-04 Safeguarding Classified Information (NISPOM Chapter 5)
DSS releases ISL 2012-04, which provides updated guidance regarding the application of National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) Chapter 5, "Safeguarding Classified Information". This ISL further describes the authorized methods for the storage of SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL material. The method of storage selected will be based on the type and size of material to be stored and the ability to meet the specific criteria for each storage option. This ISL emphasizes Federal requirements prohibiting the use of non-GSA approved security containers for the storage of classified material after October 1, 2012. View ISL 2012-04.

Aug. 9, 2012 - Defense Security Service's August 2012 Newsletter to Industry
DSS publishes a monthly newsletter to industry updating relevant industrial security information, policy and training. If you are a FSO and are not receiving this newsletter, please contact your assigned Industrial Security Representative to ensure DSS has your correct email address.

July 17, 2012 - Defense Security Service's July 2012 Newsletter to Industry
DSS publishes a monthly newsletter to industry updating relevant industrial security information, policy and training. If you are a FSO and are not receiving this newsletter, please contact your assigned Industrial Security Representative to ensure DSS has your correct email address.

June 1, 2012 - Triage Outreach Program
The Defense Security Service (DSS) administers the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide oversight of approximately thirteen thousand cleared contractors participating in the NISP. We recognize regular communications with our industry partners is vital. Our oversight role includes the accurate maintenance of core data pertaining to cleared facilities that is normally obtained, verified, and reviewed during assessment visits. In the near future, DSS will be implementing a new outreach program which will assist in maintaining communication with our industry partners between assessment cycles. This outreach initiative may include a phone call from a representative from DSS to confirm the accuracy of the data that we currently maintain pertaining to your company. You will receive advanced notification from DSS prior to the call with further information. Please report any concerns of suspicious activity that may attempt to solicit information to your local DSS field office. DSS asks for your support of this outreach effort.

If you have any questions please contact your local DSS field office.

Update to March 23, 2012 - ISL 2012-02 regarding the United Kingdom (UK) Defense Trade Control Treaty
In reference to the below article, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) Defense Trade Control Treaty became effective April 13, 2012. Official notice was posted by the Department of State at: http://www.pmddtc.state.gov. Guidance found in Industrial Security Letter (ISL) 2012-02 is effective as of April 13, 2012, for implementation under the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual. Click here to view the implemented ISL.

March 23, 2012 - ISL 2012-02 regarding the United Kingdom (UK) Defense Trade Control Treaty
This ISL promulgates updated guidance based on the requirements of the treaty, specifically regarding the application of portions of Chapters 4 and 10, of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), to transfers of defense articles to the United Kingdom. The treaty provides a comprehensive framework for exports and transfers to the UK of certain classified and unclassified Defense Articles without license or other written authorization.

This guidance is effective upon entry into force of the Treaty. A rule document will be published in the Federal Register announcing the effective date. Until such time, please monitor http://www.pmddtc.state.gov for effective date.

Click here to view the ISL.

March 1, 2012 - Security Rating Matrix FAQs and Worksheet
The Defense Security Service has been assigned the mission of overseeing the protection of classified Information resident in cleared industry. While our oversight responsibilities have not changed, we will be updating some of the terms we use to describe our oversight mission. We encourage you to ask your IS Rep if you see or hear new terms with which you are not familiar. Some examples of new terms you may hear include "Vulnerability Assessment" or "Security Review", which are both terms that describe what was previously described by DSS as an "inspection." Security Review is also the term used by the NISPOM.

DSS recognizes the importance of a consistent, objective approach to issuing security ratings as part of its security oversight role. The new security rating calculation tool is intended to standardize and improve consistency in the rating process. The matrix tool is numerically based, quantifiable, and accounts for all aspects of a facility's involvement in the National Industrial Security Program (NISP).

At the end of a security review, DSS will release the populated worksheet attached to the assessment results letter given to the FSO. Full transparency on how DSS arrived at a rating, (e.g. break-down in vulnerabilities and positive NISP enhancements identified) will be provided. For your reference, please see the security rating calculation worksheet and Industry Frequently Asked Questions.

October 20, 2011 - NEW Security Rating Matrix

DSS recognizes the importance of a consistent, objective approach to issuing security ratings as part of its security oversight role. The new security rating process utilizes a calculation worksheet. The worksheet is a DSS tool, designed to standardize and improve consistency during the rating process. It is numerically based, quantifiable, and accounts for all aspects of a facility's involvement in the NISP.

Effective October 24, 2011, the Defense Security Service (DSS) will be utilizing a newly designed security rating process within every Region, to determine ratings assigned at the conclusion of a DSS National Industrial Security Program (NISP) inspection.

DSS will share the rating results to include positive areas of a security program, security findings, and suggested improvements identified during the inspection. For your reference, please see the UPDATED Security Rating Calculation Template and the UPDATED Industry Frequently Asked Questions.

October 6, 2011
DSS releases ISL 2011-04 to clarify and provide guidance regarding National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) paragraph 1-302 requirements for reporting adverse information concerning cleared personnel.

September 30, 2011
CDSE Announces Transition of the FSO Program Management and Orientation Curricula