Update on Industrial Security Update on Industrial Security Professional (ISP) Exam Prep Professional (ISP) Exam Prep

ProgramProgram

William L. Uttenweiler, ISPLead Mentor, ISP Exam Prep Program

The Aerospace Corporation, Cape Canaveral AFS, FL

Program requirements

- 5 years’ experience (can be part-time if >10% of duties)

- Pass exam

• 110 questions (100 “core” plus 5 each on 2 electives – counterintelligence, COMSEC/TEMPEST, intellectual property, OPSEC)

• 2 hours long; open book

- Recommended by boss or NCMS National Director

- Subscribe to high ethical standards

120 currently certified world-wide

Industrial Security Professionals (ISPs)

ISP: Why Earn a Certification?

The ISP program provides a high-level baseline for the knowledge required of an Industrial Security FSO with at least five years of experience;

It certifies that the holder of the ISP has the requisite knowledge of the NISPOM and other related directives used by the average FSO on a daily basis;

It demonstrates on the part of the ISP a degree of professionalism and willingness to go the extra yard to develop professionally;

It demonstrates a certain degree of confidence and willingness to take a risk (of flunking the certification exam in this case);

It implies that the ISP has the academic and intellectual skills to not only perform as an FSO but also to develop further as a security professional;

It puts a company that has ISP's on their staff in a stronger position for contract bids and re-bids in the area of security; &

It provides a FSO with an ISP added credibility when dealing with DSS representatives

ISP On-Line Resources

NCMS web site contains links

http://www.ncms-isp.org/

- Certification Booklet

- Application Form

- ISP Code of Ethics

- Test References & Sources

- Frequently Asked Questions

- List of Current ISPs

ISP Exam Preparation Program

NCMS Board of Directors sponsors

- ISP Committee (co-Chairs: Priscilla Crawford, ISP, & Barbara Taylor, ISP)

ISP Exam Preparation Program

Prep program purpose- Develop better security professionals conducting

comprehensive training on fundamentals like the NISPOM, ISLs, OPSEC, CI, etc.

- Assist those who do not have local ISPs to be their “mentors”

- Encourage “unsure” candidates that they can complete appropriate preparation for the exam

- “Cooperate & Graduate”

ISP Exam Preparation Program

Overview

- Students will obtain materials & study in advance of the telecons

- Telecons with mentors & other candidates to answer questions, help pace the preparation, etc.

• ~1 hour long each

Materials- Workbook to help candidates’ review of NISPOM & other

materials

- Electronic copies of key references (NISPOM, ISLs, etc.)

ISP Exam Preparation Program

Mentors

- All are current ISPs

- 2-person Mentor teams will provide a variety of experiences/viewpoints

Timeline

- Round #3 to start in March 2007

- March – June 2007: One telecon every week or two

- Concludes in time for Candidates to test at the National Training Seminar in Reno NV or on-line before summertime

ISP Exam Preparation Program

Lesson strategy

- Lesson #1 - get started, go over "Test Tips" article for information/techniques/tips, evaluate class size, etc.

- Lesson #2 - #10 - cover about 10% of the NISPOM in each session

- Lesson #11 - look up practice (5 questions w/paper NISPOM, 5 questions w/electronic search of the NISPOM in PDF), last minute questions, wrap-up

ISP Exam Preparation Program

Most recently concluded round (Round #2)

- 125 Candidates signed up

- Concluded in November 2006 in time for candidates to test before the holidays

http://www.ncms-isp.org/downloads.html

- Links to 2006 NISPOM annotated with ISLs, Chapter 8 introductory briefing, JPAS/e-QIP study materials, etc.

ISP Exam Preparation Program

New during Round #2

- At least 1 session per call was recorded

• Available for a week by phone (toll call) from FreeConferenceCall.Com

• .WAV file downloaded and posted on the Frequently Asked Questions web page, accessible until exam based on February 2006 NISPOM is introduced

ISP Exam Preparation Program

Next round (Round #3)

- Will follow same format as Round #2

- Will prepare Candidates for updated ISP Exam on the February 2006 NISPOM, which will be implemented some time around May 2007

- Starts in early March 2007; concludes in early June 2007

- To sign up (registrations now open) or get more information, contact the ISP Lead Mentor Team

• E-mail: ISP_Mentor@hotmail.com

Final Comments on ISP Exam

Available “on paper” at NCMS Annual National Training Seminar in Reno NV in June 2007

Available on-line 24/7

Exam isn’t easy but you will pass if you- Pay attention to test discipline (110 answers in

120 minutes)

- Prepare well in advance (self-study, Prep Program, another way?)

Any More Questions?