NCMS ISP Certification - Testimonials

Teresa J. (Jeannie) Bowden, ISP, Aerospace Testing Alliance Arnold AFB, TN. Even without an immediate bonus or raise tied to achievement of ISP certification, there are tremendous benefits to be gained for employers in terms of customer and client perception, and personal growth opportunities to be realized for individuals, since ISP certification demonstrates a desire for higher attainment. ISP certification contributed to my employer selecting me as a participant in their leadership development program in support of future senior management position opportunities. July 2008

Karen M. Brown, ISP, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp, Albuquerque, NM. Several people in my NCMS Chapter were in the beta testing group for the ISP Certification. That inspired me to attempt it myself. At first, I was going to go through the exam preparation workbook on my own, but that didn't work well for me. I decided to work along with the call-in sessions and mentors. I did all of the assignments in the workbook, actually writing out each answer, so that I would be more likely to remember. I learned more about the NISPOM during the training than I had known in all the years I had been working in security. I took the test online in March 2007, and was so excited that I passed on my first attempt. When I had my Annual DSS Review several weeks later, my DSS Rep informed my management that this was a big accomplishment. When it was time for my annual performance appraisal, my supervisor made reference to my certification. She had always been supportive of the training, and she was as excited as I was when I passed the test. July 2008

Crystal Chambers, ISP, CENTRA Technology Inc., Arlington, VA. Having ISP after my name MEANS something! When I applied for a new position, not only did my new boss know what it meant, he was impressed! I have an ability now to confidently use, refer to and quote the NISPOM! This class made me open up the book and LOOK at chapters I hadn’t needed previously, like Chapter 8. Did I mention I got a perfect score on that section? July 2006

Mia L. Haynes, ISP, Alion Science and Technology, Alexandria VA. My manager said congratulations, but was not initially sure how my certification benefited the company – I guess that’s how it is sometime. I on the other hand gained: Confidence in my knowledge of the security field -- when I speak I know what I am saying is correct. I also received a commendable rating on my DSS inspection this past June -- my DSS rep was very impressed with my accomplishment. My ISP Certification was one of the many “above and beyond” categories for such a rating. But most of all, I am very proud of myself. After taking the course and failing the exam the first time, I must admit I didn’t think I had it in me to take the exam again. When I retook the exam the second time (my Proctor allowed me to come to her home, more comfortable surroundings) and I passed. There was no better feeling. You see I knew that I know security, but from the very beginning taking the exam and becoming ISP Certified was for the “feather in my cap”. I wanted to solidify my place in the security profession and I have. All though I did not get the accolades I should have received (company wise); I have “self gratification”, the greatest accolade of all. July 2008

Leon M. Hoffsette, ISP, University of Missouri Columbia, MO. My boss jumped right on it when he learned of the ISP certification’s existence last fall during one of our weekly staff meetings. As he stated, being in a university environment, degrees and recognized credentials are highly prized and are the bases for instant credibility. When I returned from testing in Foxwoods [CT], I don’t even think he said hi or welcome back – it was how’d you do on the test!!! By the way, having obtained an ISP status could also have been a very positive influence in my substantial pay raise coming in September !!! July 2008

Kevin Lewis, ISP, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems, Harrogate, UK. I think the benefit professionally of the ISP is that it demonstrates a level of understanding of the NISPOM that wouldn't necessarily be expected of someone in my position [overseas] supporting US "national customers". My company values those with a life-long commitment to learning, and the requirements for recertifying ensure a more formal, documented, even academic approach to keeping current in our profession -- arguably that's the greatest benefit of all. August 2008

Rodney C. Morrow, ISP, The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA. The process of prepping for and finally passing the exam did more than bolster my career. It opened my eyes as to what this single exam has done to our profession. It has professionalized our business more than I could have imagined. I see this as being a big discriminator when reviewing applications/resumes for open positions I may have in the future. It also strengthens my resolve in promoting the ISP certification program and I am encouraging those in my company and organization to join us in becoming ISP's. July 2008

Leonard Moss Jr., ISP, CHS-V, AAI Corporation, Hunt Valley, MD. In October 2006 I moved cross-country for a promotion to the Director of Corporate Security at AAI Corporation. It's a great opportunity and it's the promotion I had been seeking. You will be happy to know that when I applied for this position one of the things the job called for was "ISP preferred.” I thought that was great and worth sharing. It shows the value of our credential. October 2006

Shona Nietsche, ISP, Raytheon Company, Aurora, CO. Since I went completed the ISP program, I have noticed a distinct difference in my standing in the community and within my own company. My chain of command often refers to the accomplishment and I am considered a resource for anyone, company wide, that requires assistance. Both my reputation and my salary have benefited from this process. Not to mention the confidence and accomplishment I feel for having gone through it - I would do it again in a heartbeat! August 2008

Jeffrey Predmore, ISP, RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA. Earning the ISP was a tremendous accomplishment as it places us on a similar recognition plateau as the CPP certification for physical security and was a long awaited certification program. I was recognized publicly by the Corporate Director of Security and Safety in our corporate newsletter - "Receiving ISP certification is a significant accomplishment as it demonstrates that Predmore has the requisite knowledge of NISP policies and procedures and a high degree of professionalism". My DSS representative recognizes the value of the the program and served as my proctor for the exam. This accomplishment was well received by him as well. July 2008

Patricia D. Robbins, ISP, Cubic Applications Inc., Lacey, WA. At the 2006 Cogswell Awards ceremony there were three current ISP and two ISP candidates from the Exam Prep Program. I think it demonstrates that ISPs have mastered the various industrial security disciplines and it shows in their security programs. September 2006

Carol Sixkiller, ISP, Clark Construction Group LLC, Bethesda, MD. This was a very positive experience for me. I not only had the total support of my supervisors, I had the total support of the ISP Exam Prep Program mentors. No matter what question I had, it was answered within 24 hours. Studying for this exam has given me a much clearer knowledge of the NISPOM. I also received a bonus, which was partly based on the fact that I was studying and taking the exam. It did not matter whether I passed or not, just the fact that I was willing to put in the time to try. July 2008

William L. Uttenweiler, ISP, The Aerospace Corporation, Cape Canaveral AFS, FL. Although I’d been a security generalist for over a decade (FSO for my company’s office on Vandenberg AFB, CA), I did not work with large parts of the NISPOM. I saw the ISP certification as a way to demonstrate that I was qualified across the broad range of security disciplines we must succeed in when supporting classified government contracts. September 2005

Sherry W. Wildman, ISP, Integraph, Reston, VA. I cannot express how fullfilling having ISP after my name is. I was so excited after taking the exam and learing I had passed! What an amazing feeling of accomplishment because I know it took a lot of time and hard work to earn. It has also given me confidence in myself as there are sections in the NISPOM that I never knew existed because I never had the need to use the information. In addition, since obtaining my ISP, our company has come under FOCI [Foreign Ownership, Control, Influence] and my knowledge of a Proxy Agreement versus an SAA is invaluable! September 2010

Patricia A. Williams, ISP, SOS International, Reston, VA. In late 2006 I moved into this job from Unisys Corp. My ISP certification WAS VERY HELPFUL. Thank you for all your efforts. The ISP Exam Preparation Program and getting the certification made a huge difference in this career step. Not only to the new company, but for getting me ready to move into a position like this. November 2006