
Update on Industrial Security Professional (ISP) Exam Prep Program William L. Uttenweiler, ISP Lead Mentor, ISP Exam Prep Program The Aerospace Corporation, Cape Canaveral AFS, FL
Industrial Security Professionals (ISPs) • 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
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?)