Security policy leaders gathered in person at the National Archives for the latest meeting of the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee (NISPPAC), highlighting a renewed focus on interagency collaboration, strategic innovation, and the evolving role of government and industry partnerships in national industrial security.
Hosted by the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), the meeting brought together representatives from across government and industry, reaffirming NISPPAC’s critical mission: to serve as the principal forum for discussing policy issues under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), which governs the safeguarding of classified information shared with cleared contractors.
Michael Thomas, Director of ISOO, opened the event with a nod to the deep history of the Defense Industrial Base, as well as the need to change pace in security policy: “ISOO will be lacing up its running shoes, and we’re asking you to join us.”
A Legacy of Policy Leadership
Since its establishment by Executive Order 12829 in 1993, NISPPAC has played a pivotal role in aligning the efforts of the executive branch and industry stakeholders in implementing the NISP. The May 28 meeting reinforced that legacy, surfacing longstanding concerns and needs—like need for better clarity on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), guidance on the implementation of security clearance related Executive Orders, and the Facility Clearance lifecycle. The NISPPAC offers a unique opportunity for industry to voice and work concerns and for the government to receive and respond.
The Power of Partnership
“The power of partnership and collaboration—it solves a lot of things,” said Ike Rivers, NISPPAC’s industry spokesperson. “It will get you through a lot of times, and it will help you more than it will hurt you.” His remarks came as a reminder that aligning objectives across agencies, contractors, and oversight bodies remains essential to a secure, efficient, and adaptive industrial base.
Perry Russell-Hunter, Director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), emphasized that same spirit of interdependence. “While we each have distinct functions, we don’t do any of this alone. Together we work to ensure the defense of our nation. We support that shared effort,” he said. “At DOHA, we do the human part.” His words served as a reminder that vigilance in national security is more than a policy—it’s a personal and collective commitment to care and diligence.
DCSA’s Role as Lead Implementer
DCSA Director David Cattler delivered remarks that underscored the agency’s transformation from a compliance-heavy entity to a full-spectrum service provider. “We have the right people in the right roles, and we’ve upskilled that workforce,” said Cattler.
As the lead implementer of the National Industrial Security Program, DCSA is navigating increasing demands for security oversight, particularly as the U.S. seeks to attract a broader base of small and innovative firms into the defense industrial base. “DCSA is the largest purpose-built security organization in the federal government,” Cattler noted, emphasizing its unique positioning to offer economies of both scale and skill.
Cattler outlined three strategic thrusts for DCSA’s future:
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Achieve full performance and integration across every mission.
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Prepare the agency for future challenges in personnel vetting and industrial security.
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Raise awareness and understanding of DCSA’s role and services.
He stressed that these objectives are geared toward ensuring DCSA’s operational alignment across all mission areas, from vetting to industrial security oversight.
Addressing Delays and Driving Innovation
LaToya Coleman spoke on the persistent delays in the nomination and onboarding processes for personnel—a challenge that continues to affect both public and private sector partners. Streamlining those processes, committee members agreed, will be critical to enabling faster engagement with the cleared workforce and strengthening the supply chain.
How Long Does it Take to Process a Security Clearance?
Investigation timeliness and inventory have remained an issue, but DCSA emphasized that inventory is coming down and the agency has been working to address delays, with average clearance processing times for the fastest 90 percent of industry applicants remaining fairly flat year over year. The agency has also been deploying overtime resources and tiger team recommendations to help keep timelines from creeping back up.
The NISPPAC meeting made clear that the path forward for the National Industrial Security Program must include both agility and accountability—qualities that require coordinated policy, an empowered workforce, and the kind of cross-sector engagement the committee fosters.
As ISOO, DCSA, and industry stakeholders continue to lace up and move forward, it’s clear collaboration—and communication— are critical to any improvements in security policy.
