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.
Examination Core Area:
- 2006 Annotated NISPOM (includes ISL 2006-1, 2006-2, 2007-01, 2009-1, 2009-2 & 2009-3). Since this file is 20 mb in size, consider instead of opening it with a left-click, download it to your computer with a < right-click+save-target-as >.
- Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) Classified National Security Information Implementing Directive #1
- Marking Classified National Security Information, Information Security Oversight Office
(National Archives) dated October 2007 - Executive Order 12958 as amended by EO 13292, Classified National Security Information
- Executive Order 12968, Access to Classified Information
- Defense Security Service (DSS) Website Training Materials.
These include the following specific sub-pages on the DSS site: - Adjudicative Guidelines
- National Information Assurance (IA) Glossary (CNSS Instruction No. 4009, dated May 2003)
- DCID 1/7 Security Controls on the Dissemination of Intelligence Information, dated 6/30/98
- 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"
- DoD Directive 5230.11 "Disclosure of Classified Military Information to Foreign Governments and International Organizations", dated 6/16/92
- 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
- International Programs Security Handbook on National Disclosure Policy
- JPAS Desktop Reference Guide
- e-QIP Gateway Web Site including:
- 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.
- Military Handbook: Red/Black Engineering-Installation Guidelines
- NISPOM Chapter 11, Section 1, TEMPEST, included in full NISPOM
- TEMPEST overview from the Federation of American Scientists
- Marine Corps Warfighting publication 2-6,
- National Counterintelligence Strategy of the USA - 2008,
- The Customizable Security Guide Online
- DSS Website - Industrial Security, Counterintelligence,
- EO 12333 (As amended by Executive Orders 13284 (2003), 13355 (2004) and 13470 (2008)) – United States Intelligence Activities; 4 December 1981,
- Security Awareness and Reporting of Foreign Contacts. Presidential Decision Directive PDD/NSC-12 05 August 1993,
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Privacy Act
- Economic Espionage Act of 1996
- U.S. Copyright Office
- Copyright Basics from U.S. Copyright Office
- Joint US Web Site on Intellectual Property (Departments of Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, State and the Executive Office of the President)
- National Security Decision Directive Number 298 National Operations Security Program, January 22, 1988
- OPSEC Glossary of Terms
- DoD Directive 5205.2, DOD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program dated March 6, 2006
- DOD Manual 5205.2-M, DOD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program dated November 21, 2008
- Joint Publication 3-13.3, Operations Security Program dated June 29, 2006
Preparing for the ISP Certification Exam
To prepare yourself to take the ISP Certification exam, you may want to consider:
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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.
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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 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 $15.00 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.
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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.)
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
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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 Courses include the following, but more are being added on a regular basis. For a complete list, go to the Defense Security Service Website http://dssa.dss.mil/seta/documents/combined_catalog.pdf
- 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
Elective #4 -- OPSEC
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Interagency OPSEC Support Staff (IOSS) elearning courses
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