NCMS ISP Certification - Exam Study References

Below is a list of references and sources that were used in the development of the exam or that will serve as useful resources in studying for the exam. These will be updated as necessary. As a general rule, the close-out data for changes for the test offered each summer at the NCMS Annual National Training Seminar is December 31 of the prior year. Thus, the "old" NISPOM, rather than the one published in early 2006, will remain the source for the exam for the next few months. Exam questions are being rewritten and will be implemented by the Annual Seminar in June 2007.

Examination Core Area:

2006 Annotated NISPOM (includes ISL 2006-1, 2006-2 & 2007-1). Consider instead of opening it with a left-click, download it to your computer with a right-click+save-target-as.
- PDF Format (20 mb)
- ZIP Format (11 mb)
Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) Classified National Security Information Implementing Directive #1 http://www.archives.gov/isoo/policy-documents/eo-12958-implementing-directive.html
Marking Classified National Security Information, Information Security Oversight Office (National Archives) dated October 2007 http://www.archives.gov/isoo/training/marking-booklet.pdf
Executive Order 12958 as amended by EO 13292, Classified National Security Information, http://www.archives.gov/isoo/policy-documents/eo-12958-amendment.html
Executive Order 12968, Access to Classified Information, http://www.smdc.army.mil/ADR/12968/eo12968T.htm
Defense Security Service (DSS) Website training materials at http://www.dss.mil/. These include the following specific sub-pages on the DSS site:
- Facility Security Clearances https://www.dss.mil/portal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/new_dss_internet//isp/fac_clear/fac_clear.html
- Facility Security Clearance FAQs
  https://www.dss.mil/portal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/new_dss_internet//isp/fac_clear/per_sec_clear_proc_faqs.html
- Personnel Security Clearance Information https://www.dss.mil/portal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/new_dss_internet//psco/psco.html
- Personnel Security Clearance FAQs https://www.dss.mil/portal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/new_dss_internet//psco/ps_faqs.html
- International Security https://www.dss.mil/portal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/new_dss_internet//isp/international/inter_pro_branch.html
- Office of Designated Approval Authority https://www.dss.mil/portal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/new_dss_internet//isp/odaa/odaa.html
- Security-related information and the Customizable Security Guide http://dssa.dss.mil/seta/csg.html
Adjudicative Guidelines http://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/60321.htm
National Information Assurance (IA) Glossary (CNSS Instruction No. 4009, dated May 2003) http://staff.washington.edu/dittrich/center/4009.pdf
DCID 1/7 Security Controls on the Dissemination of Intelligence Information, dated 6/30/98 http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/dcid1-7.html
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) - Note: Only general export control issues will be covered in the ISP exam, so you need only review/study Part 120, "Purpose and Definitions" http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/docs/itar/2007/itar_part_120.doc
DoD Directive 5230.11 "Disclosure of Classified Military Information to Foreign Governments and International Organizations", dated 6/16/92
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/523011.htm
Unclassified Fact Sheet for National Disclosure Policy-1, "National Policy and Procedures for the Disclosure of Classified Military Information to Foreign Governments and International Organizations," (short title: National Disclosure Policy (NDP-1), October 1, 1988, http://cryptome.sabotage.org/us-ndp.htm
International Programs Security Handbook on National Disclosure Policy http://fas.org/sgp/library/ipshbook/Chap_03.html
JPAS Desktop Reference Guide https://www.dss.mil/portal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/new_dss_internet//diss/jpas/desktopresource.html
e-QIP Gateway Web Site http://www.opm.gov/e-qip/ including
- Quick Reference Guide for the Applicant http://www.opm.gov/e-qip/reference.asp
- Frequently Asked Questions http://www.opm.gov/e-qip/faq.asp
- Electronic Questionnaire for Investigation Processing (e-QIP) -Instructions using JPAS 2.3.4 by the JPAS Industry Team, http://www.classmgmt.com/JPAS234.ppt

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Elective #1 -- COMSEC/TEMPEST

NSA/CSS Policy Manual 3-16, Control of Communications Security (COMSEC) Material dated August 2005 (not available on-line)
COMSEC Awareness Training student materials provided by Derek Herring, COMSEC Engineer, Omitron Inc.
- COMSEC Awareness Reading Material http://www.classmgmt.com/ISP_Certification_Program/COMSEC_Material.pdf
- COMSEC Awareness Training PowerPoint Presentation http://www.classmgmt.com/ISP_Certification_Program/COMSEC_Awareness.ppt
Military Handbook: Red/Black Engineering-Installation Guidelines at HIL_HDBK_232A_2_2000.pdf
NISPOM Chapter 11, Section 1, TEMPEST, included in full NISPOM text at NISPOM_200602_with_ISLs.pdf
TEMPEST overview from the Federation of American Scientists at http://www.fas.org/irp/program/security/tempest.htm

Elective #2 -- Counterintelligence

Presidential Decision Directive (PDD)/NSC-12, Security Awareness and Reporting of Foreign Contacts, August 5, 1993 http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/500/pdd-nsc-12.pdf
Defense Security Service Customizable Security Guide http://dssa.dss.mil/seta/csg.html

Elective #3 -- Intellectual Property

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/foiastat.htm
Privacy Act http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/privstat.htm
Economic Espionage Act of 1996 http://www.tscm.com/USC18_90.html
U.S. Copyright Office http://www.copyright.gov/

Elective #4 -- OPSEC

National Security Decision Directive Number 298, National Operations Security Program, January 22, 1988 http://www.ioss.gov/nsdd298.html
OPSEC Glossary of Terms http://www.ioss.gov/docs/definitions.html
DoD Directive 5205.2, DOD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program http://www.ioss.gov/docs/5205.2.pdf
Joint Publication 3-54, Joint Doctrine for Operations Security http://www.ioss.gov/docs/jp3_54.pdf

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Preparing for the ISP Certification Exam

To prepare yourself to take the ISP Certification exam, you may want to consider:

Reviewing the list of test-taking tips provided by many of the current ISPs. The list now includes tips both for candidates who take the exam at the annual NCMS National Training Seminar and those who plan to take it on-line.
Participating in the ISP Exam Preparation Program. The program will consist of 11 telephone conferences. Mentors who are already ISPs will lead candidates through an in-depth study of the NISPOM and other reference materials. The program is perfectly timed for those planning to take the test at the June 2007 seminar or on-line in late spring/early summer,. The at least one of each of the 11 "calls" will be recorded; the recordings will be available for make-ups and do-overs. The cost will be $10 for the workbook. There is no tuition cost for the course. To find out more about the program and register, e-mail the Lead Mentor Team at isp_mentor@hotmail.com.
Using the ISP Exam Prep Program Workbook. It is a requirement for the ISP Exam Preparation Program but can also be used for self-study. A copy of the workbook order form will be downloaded if you click here. (Note: ordering the workbook does not automatically enroll you in the Prep Program. That must be done with an e-mail as specified above.)

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Free Government Security Courses

These courses are not strictly part of the exam question sources. However, they do provide training on appropriate security topics and you might want to consider taking them. They will help freshen up study and test-taking skills for candidates who have been away from school for a while. You should not consider them a substitute for reading/studying the sources listed above, especially a cover to cover reading of the NISPOM.

Examination Core Area

On-line courses from the Defense Security Service Academy (DSSA), Linthicum, MD. Information for all of these can be found on the DSS web site and you can enroll in them using DSSA's ENROL process at http://dssa.dss.mil/seta/seta.html
- Essentials of Industrial Security Management (a prerequisite for the FSO Program Manager course)
- Protecting Secret & Confidential Documents (a prerequisite for the FSO Program Manager course)
- Marking Classified Information
- Information System Security Basics
- NISPOM Chapter 8 Requirements for Industry Online
The Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management's course, International Programs Security Requirements Course (IPSR-OL) http://www.disam.dsca.mil/Catalog/Other%20Courses/IPSR(3).htm

Elective #4 -- OPSEC

Interagency OPSEC Support Staff (IOSS) course, OPSE 1301 - OPSEC Fundamentals http://www.ioss.gov/training/course_listing_2008.htm

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Last updated: Friday May 09, 2008