Post on 17-Jan-2020
Industrial Security Professional (ISP®)
Certification Program
George Quin CPP, ISP®
DFW Chapter ISP® Certification Committee Chair
NCMS ISP® Examination Preparation Program Mentor
Agenda
Why ISP® Certification?
NCMS ISP® Certification Program
NCMS ISP® Examination Preparation Program
Q & A Session
Why Certification?
Objectively validates an individual’s professional
knowledge
Demonstrates a high degree of personal confidence,
intellectual skill and willingness to develop and excel
professionally among peers
Enhances individual and organizational creditability when
dealing with another organization’s representatives
Professional Certification Equals …
More money
Enhanced job security
Stand out from other job applicants
Peer recognition
Personal satisfaction at accomplishment
Industry Security Certifications
Some certifications are very broad in scope:
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
Some certifications are very focused:
- Physical Security Professional (PSP)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional
(CISSP)
NCMS “grassroots membership” wanted a certification
correlating to work done by FSOs and their staff
involving the NISP
ISP® Genesis : Dr. Jim Hickok
Receiving inaugural James N. Hickok Industrial Security
Award in 2012 from NCMS President Tony Ingenito
Receiving Lonnie R. Buckels Presidential Award in
2014 from NCMS President Leonard Moss
• 2002 : Briefs NCMS Board of Directors on his plan for developing
and implementing a brand new Industrial Security Professional
(ISP®) Certification Program directly associated with the NISP
• 2004 : ISP® exam debuts at 39th NCMS National Seminar in Reno, NV
Industrial Security Professional Certification
Provides baseline for the knowledge required of an
industrial FSO with at least five years of experience
Certifies individual has requisite knowledge of NISPOM
and related directives used by FSOs on a daily basis
Demonstrates individual’s willingness to go the extra
mile to develop professionally
~ 550 ISPs® are currently certified worldwide
NCMS ISP® Accreditation & Trademarks
NCMS ISP® Certification Program was formally
accredited by the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) in October 2013
Accreditation process required several years of
rigorous documentation by NCMS Board of Directors,
headquarters staff and ISP® Committee volunteers
The ISP® Logo and Mark are registered trademarks and
the property of NCMS. Unauthorized use is prohibited
ISP® Certification: Why FSOs Should Care
Having ISP® certified staff members potentially provides DSS
Category 3 “Security Staff Professionalism” enhancement
points during your facility vulnerability assessment
Hosting ISP® certification training at your facility for industry
peers potentially provides DSS Category 5 “Active
Membership in Security Community” enhancement points
during your facility vulnerability assessment
Testimonials from ISPs®
“Since I completed the ISP® program, I have noticed a distinct
difference in my standing in the community and within my own
company ... I am considered a resource for anyone, company wide,
that requires assistance. Both my reputation and my salary have
benefited from this process.”
-- Shona Nietsche, ISP®, Raytheon Company, Aurora, CO.
“I gained confidence in my knowledge of the security field -- when I
speak I know what I am saying is correct. I received a Commendable
Rating on my DSS inspection this past June -- my DSS rep was very
impressed with my accomplishment. My ISP® Certification was one
of the many “above and beyond” categories for such a rating.”
-- Mia Haynes, ISP ®, Alion Science & Technology, Alexandria VA.
Requirements for ISP® Certification
Candidates must have at least five years experience in
the security field documented in a resume
Candidates must be currently working in security at
least part-time (10% of their total hours worked)
Candidates must provide a written recommendation
from their supervisor (or the NCMS Executive Director)
Candidates must arrange for an approved proctor and
provide a signed proctor qualification affidavit
Candidates must score at least 75% correct on their
ISP® exam
ISP® Certification: Experience Requirement
ISP® Certification: Experience Requirement
ISP® Certification: Experience Requirement
Bottom Line :
Does your job require knowledge of the NISPOM,
JAFAN, and/or COMSEC Manual requirements for the
protection of classified information?
ISP® Certification: Candidate Resume
Resume must be included with exam application
- Critical for reviewers to verify candidate meets 5 year
experience requirement
- Recommend functional format with start & end dates
since it allows combining industrial security work
experience from multiple jobs in one place
- Clearly explain work done, especially if position
wasn’t a industrial security role for a NISP contractor
- Resume doesn’t have to be limited to one page
ISP® Certification: Letter of Reference
Letter of reference must be included with exam
application
- One short paragraph is enough
- Verifies supervisory relationship
- Attests candidate meets 5 year security experience
requirement & subscribes to high ethical standards
- Recommends candidate for certification as an
Industrial Security Professional
If candidate doesn’t have a supervisor, contact NCMS
Executive Director for guidance
ISP® Certification: Proctor Affidavit
All ISP® exams are required to be proctored
NCMS provides proctors for candidates taking their
exam at the annual NCMS National Seminar
Other candidates should contact their Chapter ISP®
Committee Chair or NCMS HQ to arrange for a proctor
- Proctor cannot present a real or apparent conflict of interest
(e.g., co-worker, supervisor or subordinate)
- Anyone who is already an ISP® can be an exam proctor
- Non-ISP® proctors must be approved by NCMS HQ
Proctor must sign a written affidavit attesting to their
qualifications which must be included in the application
ISP® Program is Managed via Web Sites
NCMS web site consolidates all ISP forms, references,
and study materials on-line : 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
ISP® exam administered by logon to Prometrics web site
ISP® Certification: Application Process
Application must be submitted 30 days prior to desired test date
Complete application form and upload all documents at the NCMS web site:
(http://www.ncms-isp.org/ISP_Certification/application.asp)
- Non-NCMS members must first create a on-line account before
accessing an application form
- NCMS member application form will be pre-populated with stored
membership data. Any changes will also change their member file
Complete all sections including payment data and then click “Submit”
Partially completed forms can be saved on-line for later submission
Candidates will receive a confirmation of receipt and further instructions
Contact NCMS HQ at 610-971-4850 if a confirmation is not received
ISP® Examination Date
Can take exam 30 days after filing approved application
Candidate has one year window to take an ISP® exam
after their application is approved
If candidate decides to change their initial exam date:
- If inside one year approval window : Candidate must
notify NCMS HQ and their proctor of new test date
- If outside one year approval window : Candidate must
resubmit application and supporting documents
- Previously paid fee will be credited towards test
ISP® Examination Format (Web-Based Test)
Exam consists of a total of 110 multiple choice questions
100 questions from nine required categories (NISPOM):
- Security Administration & Management - Document Security - Classification
- Information Systems Security - Physical Security - Personnel Security
- International Security - Security Education - Audits & Self-Assessments
10 questions from two of five elective categories pre-selected
by candidate (See references listed on NCMS web site):
- Intellectual Property (IP) - COMSEC/TEMPEST - Counterintelligence (CI)
- Operations Security (OPSEC) - Special Access Programs (SAP)
ISP® Examination Format (Web-Based Test)
Prometrics web site makes ISP® exams available 24/7
Candidates have two hours to complete exam
This is an “Open Book” test. Security reference materials
can brought into exam room and used during test
Exam results sheet is immediately posted by Prometrics
75% correct is a passing score
Proctor required to send affidavit to NCMS HQ attesting to
proper candidate conduct and results of examination
ISP® Exam Retesting Policy
If a candidate doesn’t pass their exam on the first time
- Don’t panic or despair (Approximately 25% do fail exam!)
- Must wait six months to take test again
- If within one year approval window (and no changes in
application or supporting documents) candidates must notify
NCMS HQ and submit a retest fee
- If outside the 1-year approval window, candidates must submit
a new application to NCMS HQ with the retest fee
Requirements for ISP® Recertification
ISP® holders must recertify every three years
60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required
All recertification credits adjudicated by NCMS
No more than 50% of the recertification credits may come from Membership/Volunteer Service activities
At least 50% of the credits must come from educational programs, instruction, presentations, or publications
Same activity may not be counted more than once
Documentation to support claimed recertification credits is required
Every ISP® has recertification folder on NCMS web site
ISP® Exam & Recertification Fee Schedule
*** DFW Chapter Executive Board will reimburse 50% of initial
exam cost if a chapter member in good standing with NCMS
passes their exam and isn’t reimbursed by their company
***
Overcoming the ISP® “Fear Factor”
Candidates apprehensive about taking exam
- “I’m not good enough (or experienced enough).”
- “I’ve been out of school a long time. I don’t test well.”
- “I’m just too busy (workload, personal issues, etc.).”
- “What if I fail?”: Loss of money & respect of boss/peers
Two keys to counter fear are networking and preparation
- Candidate is not alone in this endeavor
- Gathering knowledge builds self-confidence
- Security is a team effort
ISP® Exam Preparation Approaches
Self Study (Use NCMS website posted study materials)
ISP® Examination Preparation Program
ISP® Certification Boot Camp (New for 2015)
ISP® EPP Genesis : Bill Uttenweiller
Receiving James N. Hickok Industrial Security Professional
Award in 2013 from NCMS President Rhonda Peyton Receiving Lonnie R. Buckels Presidential Award
in 2008 from NCMS President Paulette Hamblin
• 2005 : Creates ad-hoc study group for Seattle ISP® exam. Gains approval
from NCMS Board of Directors to develop an ISP® Examination Preparation
Program (EPP). Creates first NCMS ISP® web page, recruits exam study
group mentors and publishes “Passing the ISP® Exam” test taking booklet
• 2006 : ISP® EPP Round #1 debuts with free teleconference lines to support
weekly study group meetings. Publishes the first “ISP® EPP Workbook”
ISP® Exam Preparation Program (EPP)
EPP is run by ISP® volunteer mentors and operates entirely separately from ISP® Certification Program
EPP doesn’t provide answers to ISP® exam questions
Offers a structured approach to studying using workbooks and teleconference group discussions
Candidates can purchase a EPP Workbook for $50 ***
(http://www.ncms-isp.org/documents/Workbook_Order_Form.pdf)
Workbook contains study sections that review NISPOM and provide syllabus of weekly topics to be covered
*** DFW Chapter Executive Board will reimburse 50% of EPP
Workbook cost if a chapter member in good standing with NCMS
passes their exam and isn’t reimbursed by their company
ISP® EPP Schedule
Two “Rounds” conducted every year, each consisting of 13 weeks of study group teleconference sessions
First round supports exam at NCMS National Seminar
Students review reference materials and workbook section in advance of teleconference topic for that week
EPP sessions are led by three person ISP® mentor team
- Each lasts about an hour
- Offered 3x each week (Pick most convenient date/time)
- Sessions are recorded and posted for review on NCMS web site
EPP FAQs and schedule for current Round posted at: http://www.ncms-isp.org/ISP_Exam_Preparation_Program/Program_FAQs.asp#1
ISP® EPP Weekly Session Topics
Call #1A - Get started, go over "Test Tips" article for
information/techniques/tips, evaluate class size, etc.
Call #1B – Look-up five questions practice run using
paper and electronic The Annotated NISPOM (TAN).
Discuss Adobe Acrobat search techniques
Calls #2 - #10 - Cover 10% of NISPOM in each session
Call #11 - Last minute questions and wrap-up
Plus optional calls covering five exam elective topics
How to Sign Up for ISP® EPP
Send email request to: ISP_Mentor@hotmail.com
EPP Mentor Team will send out enrollment instructions
Don’t wait to sign up until end of current EPP Round
Can sign up now
Recorded EPP sessions available for student use
New for 2015 : ISP® Certification Boot Camp
NCMS, Inc. 51st Annual Training Seminar
June 23-25, 2015 Bellagio Las Vegas
NCMS ISP® Certification Boot Camp at the Annual Training Seminar
Platinum Seminar Sponsor
Silver Seminar Sponsors
Industrial Security Professional (ISP®) Certification Boot Camp
(Sunday)
When: 8:00am - 3:00pm at the Bellagio Las Vegas (Sunday, June 21)
Cost: $150/NCMS members; $200/non-members
Note: This class is NOT included in your NCMS Seminar Registration Fee. You must pre-register for this class and pay the additional fee.
Target Audience:
Security professional preparing to take the ISP® exam.
Why take the course?
The course will provide ISP® candidates the ability to ask our ISP® subject matter experts questions on specific areas of the NISPOM, gain tips on preparing for the exam from current ISP®'s and benefit from group discussions.
The ISP® Boot Camp is designed for security professionals who are preparing to take the Industrial Security Professional exam. The ISP® Boot Camp will provide candidates with the opportunity to enhance their exam preparations through a classroom setting discussion and review led by Subject Matter Experts. Candidates are encouraged to bring their Exam Preparation Program (EPP) workbook.
Final Comments on ISP® Program
Both study materials and exam are available 24/7
Exam isn’t easy but candidates will pass if :
- Prepare in advance (Enroll in EPP)
- Don’t test on a “Really Bad Day”
- Practice test discipline : 110 answers in 120 minutes
- Avoid looking up everything!
Current DFW Chapter ISPs
Carlos Chandler (#358)
Jane Dinkel (#324)
Jose Escobar (#23)
Sheri Escobar (#154)
Tamiko Pickering (#367)
Jessica Quigley (#453)
George Quin (#66)
Rae Rolison (#309)
Robert Ross (#450)
Johnnie Showalter (#67)
Beth Thurman (#442)
Michael Uthoff (#223)
Stephen Weldon (#216)
Questions and Answers
DFW Chapter ISP® Committee Chair
George Quin CPP, ISP®
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (Fort Worth)
george.quin@lmco.com
817-763-3406