U.S. SECURITY POLICY BOARD A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE

The U.S. Security Policy Board was created by Presidential Decision Directive, on September 16, 1994, in response to the recommendations from the Joint Security Commission (JSC) to improve security policy coordination and practices in the Federal Government. The mission of the U.S. Security Policy Board is to facilitate agreement among participating government agencies to promulgate policy that affects many areas of security, including physical protection, training and professional development, classification management, information systems, threat requirements, and personnel security issues. The Board’s policies are to be consistent and cost effective; fair and equitable; and affordable. The U.S. Security Policy Board is comprised of 10 officials at the Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary levels. Co-chaired by the Director, CIA and the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Board has approved several national policies, two of which have been signed by the President and have begun to be implemented at the agencies. The Security Policy Forum, senior representatives from participating Federal agencies and organizations with an interest in security, (including the Military Services, the intelligence community, and agencies such as Commerce, Justice, Energy, State, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, and the FBI) meet once a month to define the details and come to agreement on draft national security policies. The Forum is supported by Committees and numerous working groups that bring to fruition the goals and objectives of the JSC, into a common sense, mutually accepted security policy. Reciprocity between agencies to eliminate duplication of effort is a priority, specifically in areas such as personnel clearances, facility surveys, and minimum standards for protective forces. This paper will detail the Security Policy Board organizational structure, major policy initiatives, and future goals and objectives of the Security Policy Board.