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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is DSS?
  2. What is the mission of the Defense Security Service?
  3. How does DSS contribute to national security?
  4. When was DSS established?
  5. What is DSS's budget?
  6. Where is DSS located?
  7. Who is the director of DSS?
  8. Who does DSS report to?
  9. What kinds of information can I find on the DSS website?
  10. Is DSS impacted by BRAC?
  11. What kinds of jobs are available at DSS?
  12. How do I apply for a job at DSS?
  13. How do I find information about Facility Clearance?
  14. How do I find information about Security Education?
  15. How do I find information about Personnel Security Clearances?
  16. How do I do business with DSS?

1. What is DSS?
The Defense Security Service (DSS) is an agency of the Department of Defense (DoD) located in Quantico, Virginia with field offices throughout the United States. The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence provides authority, direction and control over DSS. DSS provides the military services, Defense Agencies, 24 federal agencies and approximately 13,300 cleared contractor facilities with security support services.

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2. What is the mission of DSS?
On behalf of the Department of Defense and other U.S. Government Departments and Agencies, DSS supports national security and the warfighter through our security oversight and education missions. We oversee the protection of U.S. and foreign classified information and technologies in the hands of industry under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and serve as the DoD functional manager for education, training, and professional development of security professionals for the DoD, federal government, and industry.

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3. How does DSS contribute to national security?
The Director of the Defense Security Service (DSS) administers the NISP (established by EO 12829) on behalf of the Secretary of Defense and user agencies. In conjunction with these responsibilities, DSS is responsible for inspecting and monitoring the contractors, licensees, and grantees that require access to classified information. Approximately 356 Industrial Security Representatives provide oversight and assistance to cleared contractor facilities and assist management and Facility Security Officers in ensuring the protection of U.S. and foreign classified information. DSS also facilitates classified shipments between the United States and foreign countries and implements foreign ownership, control and influence countermeasures.

The Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) is located in Linthicum, Md., and provides security education and training to DoD security professionals through formal classroom and distributed learning methodologies (i.e., computer-based, web-based and tele-training).

The Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO), located in Fort Meade, Md., processes requests for industrial personnel security investigations and provides eligibility or clearance determinations for cleared industry personnel under the NISP.

DSS provides information technology services in support of DoD and partner agency industrial and personnel security missions.

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4. When was DSS established?
DSS, formerly known as the Defense Investigative Service or DIS, was established on Jan. 1, 1972, to consolidate DoD personnel security investigations in one organization. On Oct. 2, 1980, the Defense Industrial Security Program was transferred to DIS from the Defense Logistics Agency and DIS began to train personnel through the Defense Industrial Security Institute. The Personnel Security Investigations (PSI) Program was transferred to the Office of Personnel Management on Feb. 20, 2005.

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5. What is DSS's budget?
DSS is authorized 907 personnel and a FY12 budget of $561 million.

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6. Where is DSS located?
DSS Headquarters are located at 27130 Telegraph Rd., Quantico, Va. 22134. The Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) is located in Fort Meade, Md., and the Security Education Training and Awareness (SETA) Directorate, which includes the Center for Development of Security Excellence, is located in Linthicum, Md. DSS also has Industrial Security Representatives located across the United States in 71 field locations spread across four geographic regions.

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7. Who is the director of DSS?
Mr. Stanley L. Sims was named director of DSS effective Dec. 5, 2010. Read Mr. Sims' biography.

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8. Who does DSS report to?
DSS is an agency of the Department of Defense, which reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD[I]).

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9. What kinds of information can I find on the DSS website?
The DSS internet site seeks to provide the public with information About Us, its mission, news, points of contact within the agency, press releases, and upcoming events and conferences. It is also a tool for cleared contractors to stay current on DSS initiatives and programs.

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10. Is DSS impacted by BRAC?
DSS is impacted by BRAC Recommendation H&SA -0108R, which calls for relocation of the Military Department Investigative Agencies (MDIA), DSS, and the Counterintelligence Field Activity (CIFA) to Marine Base Quantico, Virginia. The recommendation is to be implemented by the fall of 2011. BRAC Recommendation H&SA -0099 calls for the relocation of all Military Department and DoD security clearance and adjudication and appeals activities to Fort George G. Meade, Md. As a result, the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) will relocate from Columbus, Ohio, to Maryland.

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11. What kinds of jobs are available at DSS?
DSS offers interesting and challenging work for people with an interest in contributing to the security of the United States. The majority of DSS's workforce consists of Industrial Security Representatives who interact with Defense contractors to advise, assist, and ensure that classified information is protected appropriately. DSS also has jobs in support roles in such fields as automation technology, security, financial management, public affairs, and administration.

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12. How do I apply for a job at DSS?
See our Careers at Defense Security Service or view Job Opportunity Announcements at http://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/Search/GetResults?OrganizationID=DD12.

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13. How do I find information about Facility Clearance?
Go to Facility Clearances FAQ's section

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14. How do I find information about Security Education?
Visit the SETA FAQ's section

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15. How do I find information about Personnel Security Clearances?
Find PSC Info here

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