A Facility Security Officer’s (FSO) job has numerous responsibilities requiring a combination of technical, interpersonal, and managerial skills. It also isn’t an exaggeration to say that the position will never stop evolving. Between emerging security threats, new technology, and annual compliance updates, FSOs must stay versatile in their skills and knowledge.
So, where does FSO training play a key role and how can obtaining industry certifications improve their capabilities?
Why is FSO Training and Continuing Education So Vital
First and foremost, FSOs must undergo robust education because it’s legally required. Per the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) 117.12 section D, specific training requirements exist to become an FSO and be granted a Facility Clearance (FCL) — but that’s just scratching the surface.
The responsibilities of an FSO are both broad and mission-critical. That said, the more educated and up-to-date you can get, the better prepared you’ll be to combat security threats and adapt to the position’s needs. Many FSOs are contracted with the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, therefore, tasked with supporting our national security interests.
Between ensuring compliance with NISPOM and other regulations, managing an organization’s cybersecurity program, overseeing clearance processing and cleared personnel, providing security training, and handling the physical security at their facility, saying they’re “busy” doesn’t do it justice.
Education is vital to best prepare for FSO duties while obtaining continuous awareness of industry changes and emerging security threats.
Exploring Education Paths: Training and Certification Options for FSOs
We should first clarify that undergoing continuing education and getting specialty certifications is supplemental to what’s required to become an FSO in the first place. Assuming you’re working with classified information, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
(DCSA) has a required comprehensive curriculum to obtain an FCL.
These courses are roughly 50 combined hours and must be completed within six months of getting the Cognizant Security Authority (CSA) approval to handle classified information. We cover those requirements in our guide on the Seven DCSA Training Requirements for FSOs.
Numerous FSO certification options, however, can support continuing education requirements and help individuals better understand FSO security regulations and standards.
Training Options Per CDSE
The Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) has an excellent curriculum page outlining courses for both continuing education credits and certifications:
Note: Blue headings are clickable and take you to the course page!
Counterintelligence Awareness Certificate Program
Number of Hours: 9
What you get:
- Four semester hours
- Professional Development Units (PDUs) determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
NISP Assessment and Authorization Program
Number of Hours: 5
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential Continuing Education Units (CEUs); contact CompTIA for more details
Risk Management Framework
Number of Hours: 6
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential CEUs; contact CompTIA for more details
Air Force Security Manager Program
Number of hours: 13
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential CEUs; contact CompTIA for more details
Basic Industrial Security for the Government Security Specialist Program
Number of hours: 31.5
What you get:
- Three semester hours
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential CEUs; contact CompTIA for more details
FSO Orientation for Non-Possessing Facilities
Number of hours: 26.5
What you get:
- Three semester hours
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential CEUs; contact CompTIA for more details
FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities
Number of hours: 38.5
What you get:
- Three semester hours
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential CEUs; contact CompTIA for more details
Industrial Security for Non-Security Government Personnel
Number of hours: 16
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential CEUs; contact CompTIA for more details
Outside Director / Proxy Holder Baseline Training
Number of hours: 7
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
- Potential CEUs; contact CompTIA for more details
Original Classification Authority Program
Number of hours: 8.75
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
Insider Threat Program Management Personnel
Number of hours: 24.25
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
Insider Threat Program Operations Personnel
Number of hours: 22.75
What you get:
- PDUs determined by course length and compliance current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
*Certain training programs may require prerequisites prior to enrolling and be better suited for specific roles. Be sure to check out the full curriculum pages for complete details.
Other FSO Certification Options
In addition to courses administered by DCSA, FSOs (or those interested in an FSO career path) can look to other certifications that are offered through various professional associations:
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP): Offered through the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), the CPP certification recognizes excellence and knowledge in security management.
- Physical Security Professional (PSP): Also available through the ASIS, the PSP certification demonstrates knowledge specifically in evaluating, designing, and implementing physical security systems.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Offered through the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC), CISSP verifies excellence in cybersecurity management.
- Certified Facility Manager (CFM): Offered through the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the CFM certification recognizes knowledge in facility management functions, including risk management, strategy, operations, communications, project management, and many others.
- Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP): Available through the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII), the CBCP certification verifies disaster recovery and business continuity management capabilities after a significant physical or cyber attack incident.
These are just a few of the many certifications that can accelerate an FSO’s career and knowledge. We encourage you to check out associations supporting the facility security and defense contracting industry for more options.
FSO Certification Benefits: Good for Individuals and Organizations
Those willing to put in the time for FSO certifications can add value to their credentials and the company they represent. For individuals, certifications:
- Better equip FSOs with the knowledge to handle the unique responsibilities and challenges of the position, including security regulations and standards of operations
- Formally demonstrate expertise in particular disciplines relating to facility security
- Improve the credibility or show specialty skills of a job candidate applying for an FSO position — gives them a competitive edge in the job market
For organizations that provide their personnel with FSO certifications and training:
- Improves an organization’s credibility — sets them apart during bidding and request for proposal (RFP) procurement
- Keeps an organization up-to-date on industrial security trends, threats, and compliance requirements — lets them proactively adapt to changes
- Creates a culture that promotes employee development — facility security teams can constantly self-improve and use their training to support one another
Ongoing FSO Training: Why it Matters
The mindset of doing training courses simply for the FCL or getting a one-time certification just doesn’t cut it for FSOs. Continuing education isn’t only required per NISPOM but is highly encouraged by professionals who work in the space.
Ongoing FSO training is the foundation for continuously improving skills for the position. It can also transition an FSO from a generalist practitioner to a specialist in different fields since CDSE and various industry associations offer numerous disciplines in areas like physical security, IT security, operations, compliance, insider threats, etc.
Finally, because they are extremely busy with their day-to-day FSO duties, it’s not likely that a facility security team member will stay up-to-date on the industry trends on their own. Continuing education allows FSOs, by default, to keep up with best practices and new forces threatening national security.
Stay Up to Date on FSO Training Updates with MathCraft
FSO certifications and continuing education are vital to ensuring that those in these top-level positions are always equipped to handle the volatile day-to-day while remaining up-to-date on compliance requirements, security threats, and best practices for managing industrial security operations.
MathCraft Security Technologies is here to inform you of all things FSO, including different training and certification paths that best prepare you for the position. Contact us to learn how our suite of industrial-security software supplements an FSO’s training with robust tools to better manage facility visitors, compliance reporting and audits, and cleared personnel.