Top 10 Benefits of Outsourcing FSO Support for Government Contractors

In Today’s world of government contracting under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), compliance is crucial to the success of the mission, rather than being optional. To accomplish these missions, the Facility Security Officer (FSO) must provide the necessary protection for classified materials and also be responsible for ensuring the organization has an active Facility Clearance (FCL) as well as maintaining the organization’s policies and regulations that comply with the National Industrial Security Program (NISPOM). 

Government contractors do not always have sufficient resources or a need to have a full-time, in-house FSO, although a number of them do provide the same services through outsourced FSO support services.

Top 10 Benefits of Outsourcing FSO Support for Government Contractors ​

Here is a list of the ten most significant advantages of outsourcing FSO support for government contractors.

Cost Savings Without Sacrificing Compliance

Hiring a full-time FSO can be costly when accounting for salary, benefits, training, and continuous education. With an outsourced FSO, you will only pay for the service you use and can obtain them on a part-time, interim, or project basis. This will greatly reduce your overall cost structure.

This is especially beneficial for small to mid-sized contractors.

Access to Experienced Security Professionals

Outsourced FSO providers specialize in industrial security. Their consultants often have years,  sometimes decades. of experience working with cleared facilities and navigating complex compliance requirements.

You gain access to deep expertise without having to recruit, hire, and train internally.

Stronger NISPOM Compliance

Keeping up with evolving NISPOM regulations can be a difficult task, but outsourcing your FSO to a consulting firm will keep you informed of changes to regulations and policies so you can remain compliant at all times.

By outsourcing your FSO to consulting firms, you will reduce the likelihood of having regulatory violations, findings in the course of an examination, or possible clearance problems.

Scalable Support as You Grow

As your contract portfolio expands, your security requirements grow with it. Outsourced FSO services can scale alongside your business, increasing support during contract awards, classified onboarding, or expansion into new locations.

You avoid the disruption of hiring new internal staff every time your needs change.

Faster Facility Clearance (FCL) Processing

Facility Clearance (FCL) has recently become more accessible through improvements in both the processing timelines and procedures. Your experienced Facility Security Officer (FSO) will guide and assist in all stages of the Facility Clearance process, whether via eApplication submissions, documentation preparation, or other outsourced experts who can assist in both expediting your approvals, as well as preventing costly delays in obtaining classified contracts.

Reduced Risk of Costly Compliance Mistakes

Compliance issues can result in:

  • Negative Assessment Rating
  • Corrective Action Plan
  • Delayed Contracts
  • Potential for Clearances Being Suspended

Using An Oversight Provider, Such as An Outside Continuation Provider, Will By Its Use of Structured Processes & Internal Reviews & Documented Accuracy Reduce The Risk Of Having Compliance Issues.

Access to Specialized Knowledge

Various categories of compliance require differentiating levels of knowledge, these include:

– Insider Threat Programs

– Classified Document Control

– Secure Communications

– Mitigation of Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI)

The majority of companies do not possess the depth of understanding offered by outside contractors who specialize in providing FSO services.

Continuity During Staff Transitions

If your in-house FSO leaves or takes a lengthy vacation, you will benefit by having an outsourcing partner provide continuing FSO level support. The support you receive will ensure uninterrupted compliance oversight during the transition. In addition, you won’t have any lapse in your reporting obligations and can be assured of remaining current with your security obligations.

Allows Leadership to Focus on Core Business

Contractors in government can be successful in fulfilling their obligations by providing their clients with technical expertise instead of having to navigate complicated regulatory processes.  Outsourcing Facility Security Officer (FSO) Services gives them and their staff the opportunity to concentrate on day-to-day operations, improving existing customer contracts, and managing their overall performance while the FSOs take responsibility for managing compliance with all applicable regulations.  Outsourcing FSO Service is a strategic approach to aligning the available resources with the overall business priorities.

Is Outsourced FSO Support Right for Your Organization?

Companies that should consider outsourcing FSO support include:

-Small-to-medium-sized Govt Contractors

-Start-Up Companies Ay that pursue Classified Contracts

-Companies that do not require a full-time FSO

-Companies experiencing rapid growth

-Companies that are changing their Internal Security Officer (ISO). 

If your company has difficulty with meeting compliance requirements or has a large security compliance expense, you may be able to save money by outsourcing.

Final Thoughts

The security compliance process plays an integral role in successful government contracting. By using Outsourcing FSO support services from Dive Deep Security, contractors can benefit from several advantages, including efficiency with costs, access to specialized knowledge, a solution that can be scaled as needed, and an overall relief of stress.

For some government contract organizations, security compliance is not simply a way to save money, but is considered by many to provide them with a competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Outsourced FSO support provides professional security experts who manage NISPOM compliance, facility clearance (FCL), personnel clearances, training, and audit preparation on your behalf.

Yes. Companies may designate a qualified external FSO consultant, as long as they meet eligibility and training requirements.

In most cases, yes, especially for small to mid-sized contractors who don’t need a full-time FSO.