Each day, as we help FSOs manage their day-to-day FSO tasks, administration, and goals, I realize that there are so many different desired outcomes for EACH FSO.

If you are an owner/FSO, your desired outcome may be ”I just want to make sure we are getting the baseline requirements done, and we can continue doing what we do best.”

If you are a multi-hat FSO (one that wears the FSO hat along with another high-priority hat), your desired outcome may be, “I want to earn the trust of my company by having an organized and commendable program.”

If you are the full-time FSO, your desired outcome may be, “I want to do as much as I can to have a Superior rating, a lot of interaction with cleared personnel, security events, and attend conferences for the latest security awareness news.” All are good, but all are different—we are going to tell you how we have hit those targets.

What’s the Difference in the Three Main Ratings?

There are actually more than three ratings, but we are only going to focus on the good ones: Satisfactory (yes, this is good), Commendable, and Superior. Back in 2017, I attended a training that gave the statistics of cleared companies that earn these ratings. Then, it was around 80% earned Satisfactory, 13% earned Commendable, and 7% earned Superior.

In recent years, DCSA has altered the ratings to default to the lowest rating in the criteria, so I imagine that those numbers have shifted with even less organizations obtaining Superior, but I did not find data to confirm that. I looked, but this what I have confirmed in talking with DCSA Representatives.

It has dropped so much, they are looking at providing an additional criteria so that there is more opportunity for higher ratings. More on that as we hear about it. For now, let’s focus on the three.:

Satisfactory!

When we were in grade school, “Satisfactory” meant something similar to getting a “C” on a report card. I know my Dad was not impressed with it and most companies are not always impressed with it either. However, it is actually an “A” (you may need to convince your leadership of that, but it’s true.) It typically means your company protected the classified and warfighter (the Golden Rule of FSO work!) and covered all the baseline standards.

Advantages of a Satisfactory Rating:

• You “passed” and can continue with the cleared work of the organization. Hooray!
• You can close out administrative findings usually during the review or within 30 days of your review.
  Something more critical can be handled immediately.
• Your receive workable recommendations to strengthen your program from DCSA as well as direct feedback on your security policies and procedures so they are in the best working order.

“Great! That works for me. How do get there?”

Using each of the four areas of criteria, here are some (not all) of what we have seen work:

NISPOM Implementation: Go through the self inspection checklist and review the references beside each section and actually work to fix ANY gap areas. Keep to all your annual requirements and keep your NISS and DISS (or NBIS soon) updated regularly.

Management Support: If you are the owner/FSO—this is covered well. If not, make sure you provide your Senior Management Official with a good overview of your security program and obtain his or her full support.

Security Awareness: The DCSA website and CDSE website have a LOT of free resources that you
can use in emails, posters, at staff meetings, web training, and video shorts. Try to align the
training with something topical such as money issues at tax time or current events.

Security Community: There are a lot of security communities. We like ours (The FSO PRO Members), but we like the others too, along with conferences! We all learn from each other.

Next up: “Commendable”

Do you want an amazing AFSO for the cost of two mocha lattes? See the end of this newsletter!

Commendable!

So, for me, Commendable is like an A+ and definitely worth striving for if you can. It typically means your company protected the classified and warfighter (the Golden Rule of FSO work!) and went above the baseline standards.

• You “passed” and can continue with the cleared work of the organization. Hooray!
• You typically receive praise from DCSA which is shared with your leadership and impresses your boss and colleagues.
• Your cleared personnel are commended for their commitment to the security program (more buyin!), and this can be lauded as a company-wide achievement.

“Love it! I want that. How do get there?”

Using each of the four areas of criteria, here are some (not all) of what we have seen work. After doing all the items listed in Satisfactory, add:

NISPOM Implementation: Beef up all your policies and procedures to be tailored specifically to your organization. Work with your DCSA Rep for recommendations ahead of time. Make interviewing cleared and uncleared personnel standard as part of your self inspections. Update your tracking records.

Management Support: If you are the owner/FSO—this is covered well. If not, have regular meetings with your Senior Management Official to ensure they have a clear understanding of the organizations entire security program and help you with any gap areas.

Security Awareness: Make use of DCSAs Counter Intelligence Special Agent by obtaining defensive travel briefs and threats that you can provide directly to your company. Make a list of “methods of contacts” in DCSAs annual report to show your organization the exact threat that the team could face and how to handle it. Provide quizzes regularly to your cleared personnel so they know ALL reporting requirements.

Security Community: Participate actively with your security community—interact with other FSOs. Attend the meetings and even sit on committees where you can. Assist any new FSOs you know with what you have learned.

Up next: Superior!

Superior!

Ah—the “President’s List” and the A++ of security ratings. This often involves associated time and costs but is really nice to achieve! This means your company protected the classified and warfighter (the Golden Rule of FSO work!) and went WELL above the baseline standards.

Advantages of a Superior Rating:

• You “passed” and can continue with the cleared work of the organization. Hooray!
• You receive praise from DCSA, you are eligible for awards, your leadership and colleagues are impressed and most companies use it in their proposals and capabilities when going after new work. I’m not saying you will get a raise, but I am not NOT saying either!
• Your cleared personnel can enjoy the company-wide achievement with you and it really helps everyone stay committed to everything you want to do with the security program.

“Excellent! Let’s do it! How do get there?”

NISPOM Implementation: Become an expert in CFR 117. Review it so much you can almost quote it, in Latin! (Just kidding on that one). Becoming an expert will ensure you have looked at EVERY angle of your security program and are able to answer questions and support each functional area of your organization in an organized and efficient way.

Management Support: If you are the owner/FSO—this is covered well.
If not, provide regular (monthly, weekly) updates to your SMO and entire leadership team. Provide reports and documentation so that each are aware of the status of the program.

Security Awareness: Bring in your CISA as a speaker before conventions or foreign travel. Hold weeklong security events. Update your bulletin boards regularly. Use video tools or other useful mediums to provide updates to your organization. Give out monthly or quarterly awards to increase involvement.

Security Community: Become a mentor. Offer to do some security awareness events for your smaller subcontractors or invite them in when YOU have a speaker at your organization. Attend any and all conferences, brown bags, and training you can to ensure you are bringing the BEST material back to your organization.

If you want a longer version of these topics, see the end of this newsletter!

How do you get an amazing AFSO for the cost of two mocha lattes?

(below are TRUE quotes)

• “I did not know where to start when they told me I was the FSO now. You helped me get all the priorities done and create my strategy.”
• “We got a Commendable! Thank you for your help!”
• “You stayed on the phone with me until my changed condition was done!”
• “I had so much going on—your help preparing for my inspection was invaluable!”
• “Thank you for helping her through the incident reports.”

As an FSO PRO member, you get interactive support and practical, every day tools for your organization. We answer questions, jump on a call, provide Instructions, and more!

We are adding more videos, ecourses and resources soon, so join the club while you can benefit from our current rate!

After the end of September, that will go up slightly, but you can secure your spot at this rate now!

Need more explanation or assistance with any items mentioned this month?
Contact FSO PRO!

FSO PRO thanks all the FSOs out there for everything you do to keep the warfighter safe. Even the smallest task is designed to keep our nation’s information out of the hands of those who would do harm. We, as FSOs, are doing our part to stay vigilant and determined to protect those who protect us, even in our own small way.

That is why we say how awesome you are. And thank you.