Security managers: Protecting information Keep bad guys out, let good guys in

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Grace Lee
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona --  At Luke Air Force Base we need Airmen to fly, fight and maintain our aircraft, but we also need Airmen to protect classified information and ensure individuals have the clearances they need in order to complete the mission, and that's where Luke's security managers step in.

"The security manager acts as the liaison between the respective commander and the installation's Information Protection Program," said Anthony Jackson, 56th Security Forces Squadron security specialist. "The Information Protection program encompasses three disciplines: personnel security, information security and industrial security. Within these disciplines, the security manager's duties and responsibilities include personnel and information security. On the other hand, only organizations with sensitive resources that require protection in classified contracts will have an industrial security program, and the security manager will be the unit's focal point."

Personnel security is ensuring people have the proper security clearance or suitability determination required to perform their job. Information security is program management and includes measures taken to ensure the protection of classified information. Lastly, industrial security is the integration of on-base contractor operations into the installation information security program in accordance with Defense Department directives, Air Force Instructions, policies and standards.

Security managers have to go through a demanding training process before being qualified to do the job.

"Security managers go through a three-tier process," Jackson said. "First, they have to meet the qualification standards such as the rank requirement, a favorable clearance, local indoctrination and be appointed in writing by their unit commander.

Secondly, security managers must complete the prerequisite training courses and exams, which include Joint Personnel Adjudication System, Personnel Identifiable Information, Introduction to Personnel Security, Cyber Awareness, and Derivative Classification.

The third tier of the training process is administered by the information protection staff and includes initial security managers training, followed by refresher training covering a multitude of topics and subject matters to broaden the security managers' scope and efficiency. Initial training includes hands-on training on JPAS, and the Electronic Questionnaire for Investigation Processing, forms, terminology, security manager duties and responsibilities, and process to initiate security investigations and suitability determinations. Follow on training is administered to broaden security managers' knowledge and experience on the aforementioned, specialized training in information, personnel and industrial security, and other matters which they are responsible for.

Training is ongoing as a security manager.

"Every quarter we conduct training to address strengths and weaknesses, trends and program management, said Brian Martin, 56th SFS security specialist. "We also hold refresher group training on an as-needed basis."

Luke security managers play a vital role in the mission.

"Security managers are important because they reinforce the first-line defense for protection of information and classified information," Jackson said. "They are also the primary point-of-contact for administering their organization's security clearances and suitability determinations. They brief the applicant on the procedures, establish accounts, review documentation, and validate and forward to the Information Protection office for further review. Upon completion the Information Protection Office will approve and release the request to the investigation agency."

Security managers are the forefront of defending the Air Force's Airmen and resources.
"Security Managers are vital to the Information Protection process and essential for mission success," Jackson said. "Their efforts are imperative in the protection of people, resource and assets, and they will continue to serve with excellence and sheer commitment."