NCMS ISP Certification - Briefings & Reports

ISP Certification Program Manual. This manual provides details on the ISP Certification Program including benefits, philosophy, testing procedures, fees, etc.
ISP Proctoring Instructions. Not only are these important for Proctors, but Candidates should review them too. That way they can communicate to prospective proctors what is expected and are aware of the kinds of help the Proctor can provide.

Briefings. A number of presentations have been made about the ISP Program by members of the Board of Directors, members of the ISP Committee, Chapter Chairs, and others. Here is one of them.

Three Part Briefing from December 2007. Includes (1) what is NCMS & why should you join? (2) what is the ISP certification & why should you become one and (3) how to prepare for the ISP exam. (53 slides in MS PowerPoint format)
ISP Exam Prep Program Briefing. Updated in preparation for Round #3. (14 slides in MS PowerPoint format)

Reports. All of the national committees make periodic reports to the NCMS Board of Directors. These usually coincide with the Quarterly Board Meetings. It is a chance for the entire Board to learn about developments, to provide direction as needed, and to approve changes/funding. Here are some of the reports from the ISP Committee. The summaries provide a flavor for the accomplishments are not exhaustive. Most of these documents are in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) .

March 2008. Subcommittee working on the on-line sample test eports good progress. Posted an article on Recertification Tips, the ISP Certification Program Manual and the ISP Proctor Instruction on the web site. E-mails were sent to all ISPs seeking additional volunteers for committee work.
January 2008. Round #4 of the ISP Exam Prep Program (EPP) wrapped up in November 2007. The EPP workbook was revised to include ISL 2007-1, which made many changes to NISPOM Chapter 8. Continued to define who could be a proctor if an ISP is not conveniently available as well as who will approve the proctor. Discussed creating a "lifetime certification" for candidates which would exempt ISPs from recertification. Distributed proctor instructions to all ISPs so they would understand them.
September 2007. Round #4 of the EPP has begun. Added a statement to the EPP workbook to remind candidates that the EPP is a volunteer effort and NCMS as an organization cannot guarantee the accuracy of the answers given during telecons. Review of questions missed during the June 2007 test offering in Reno NV was conducted to validate their accuracy/relevance and determine if the wording of any was unclear. Updated the "Sources & Study References" page of the web site.
June 2007. Round #3 of the EPP has concluded. The ISP Accreditation sub-committee has been elevated to committee level and now produces its own report. The review of all ISP exam sections (both core and electives) was complete and the revised test is ready for administration at the NCMS Annual Training Seminar in Reno NV. Maintained contact with DSSA as their web site was revised, resulting in the breakage of links on the ISP web site.
March 2007. Round #3 of the EPP has begun. An ISP workshop was added to the schedule for the NCMS Annual Training Seminar. New recertification seals were ordered; these will incorporate the new ISP pin logo. Created and distributed a survey to ISPs concerning what benefits they may have realized since obtaining their certification.
January 2007. Contract with ANSI for formal accreditation signed. Wrap-up for Round #2 of ISP Exam Preparation Program. Results of survey of Round #2 candidates who did not plan to test quickly to determine what caused the delay in their plans. First draft of revised workbook for Round #3 based on "new" NISPOM completed. Review/rewrite of test questions well under way. New ISP web site launched.
September 2006. ANSI selected for accreditation; process that could take 1-2 years beginning. Start of Round #2 for ISP Exam Preparation Program. Recordings will be made and posted of the sessions for make-ups/do-overs. Annotated version of the February 2006 NISPOM created. Notification letter prepared when 3-year recertification is due.
June 2006 Presentation at National Training Seminar. Annual update, first to the Board and then to membership. Topics included: recertification process created; plans for increased recognition; update on Exam Preparation Program and ISP e-mail alias; outreach to DSS and to major defense contractors; accreditation plans still pending.
March 2006. Completion of review of new questions. E-mail alias for quicker addressing all ISPs has been completed. Start of Round #1 for ISP Exam Preparation Program. Accreditation delayed because chosen agency (NSSB) is defunct; will search for another one.
January 2006. Final report on on-line beta-testing; exam on-line is now "production" status. Suggestion to create an all-ISP alias for quicker e-mail communications to ISPs. Break-out session for ISPs at June 2006 National Training Seminar in Atlanta GA. Continuing work on new exam questions, certificate re-design, etc.
September 2005. Status of progress for on-line beta-test. Receipt of additional questions on ISLs, JPAS and e-QIP. Major revision of "Sources & References" web page. COMSEC/TEMPEST elective question review. New certificate design. On-line list of ISPs.