Defense Security Service's (DSS') new security rating

calculation matrix

The Defense Security Service (DSS) released its "security rating

calculation tool" in August of 2011. The tool is a simple matrix—based on the

National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)—used for

calculating the rating of a contractor facility's security program for the protection

of classified national security information. Though the calculation matrix itself

may be relatively simple, it has big implications for the process that the Defense

Security Service (DSS) uses for rating facilities' security programs during

inspections/reviews.

Prior to the implementation of this security rating calculation matrix, the

ratings that were given to facilities' security programs were based on more

subjective evaluations made by individual Defense Security Service (DSS) Industrial

Security Representatives during inspections/reviews. (A fact that was much-

lamented by some contractors and probably secretly enjoyed by a few others.) This

new standardized security rating process essentially consists of the DSS Industrial

Security Representatives adding points to a cleared facility's score for each way in

which the facility's security program exceeds the baseline requirements of the

NISPOM and subtracting points for each failure to meet a NISPOM requirement.

We expect that some of the ramifications of this new method of calculating a

security program's rating will include:

• Though the five ratings (Superior, Commendable, Satisfactory, Marginal,

Unsatisfactory) remain the same, the percentages of facilities receiving each rating

will likely change significantly.

• If they were cut slack in past inspections, many facilities will receive lower ratings

unless they improve their security programs.

• Facilities will be better able to make their case against overly harsh ratings.

• Facilities that make a determined effort to improve their security programs will

have a better chance at optimizing their ratings.

You may download a copy of DSS' new security rating matrix calculator by clicking

here. You may read the Defense Security Service's answers to frequently-asked

questions (FAQ) about the new security rating calculation method at their FAQ

page. There is much potential for contractors to use this new rating process to their

advantage. We can assist with this on a consulting basis. We also provide further

insights and recommendations toward that end that are accessible by our clients

only.