State Department

State Department PDF Author: United States Accounting Office (GAO)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781719183499
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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State Department: Challenges Facing the Bureau of Diplomatic Security

State Department

State Department PDF Author: United States Accounting Office (GAO)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781719183499
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description
State Department: Challenges Facing the Bureau of Diplomatic Security

State Department: Challenges Facing the Bureau of Diplomatic Security

State Department: Challenges Facing the Bureau of Diplomatic Security PDF Author: Jess T. Ford
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 143792686X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 13

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Book Description
Discusses the Dept. of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), which is responsible for the protection of people, information, and property at over 400 embassies, consulates, and domestic locations. Since the 1998 bombings of U.S. Embassies in East Africa, the scope and complexity of threats facing Americans abroad and at home has increased. Diplomatic Security must be prepared to counter threats such as crime, espionage, and passport fraud, technological intrusions, political violence, and terrorism. This statement discusses: (1) the growth of DS's missions and resources; and (2) the challenges DS faces in conducting its work. Illustrations.

State Department

State Department PDF Author: Jess T. Ford
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Diplomatic and consular service, American
Languages : en
Pages : 10

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State Department

State Department PDF Author: Michael J. Courts
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Diplomatic and consular service, American
Languages : en
Pages : 10

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Diplomatic Security: Key Oversight Issues

Diplomatic Security: Key Oversight Issues PDF Author: Michael J. Courts
Publisher: U.S. Government Accountability Office
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 58

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Book Description
In response to increasing threats to U.S. personnel and facilities at overseas diplomatic posts since 1998, the Department of State (State) has taken a number of steps to enhance its risk management and security efforts. State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (Diplomatic Security) leads many of these efforts with assistance from other bureaus and U.S. government agencies. Given the ongoing threats and the amount of resources needed to counter them, GAO has identified 11 key issues regarding Diplomatic Security that warrant significant Congressional oversight to monitor the cost, progress, and impact: Diplomatic Security Funding: Diplomatic Security funding has increased considerably in reaction to a number of security incidents overseas and domestically. In fiscal year 2016, total funding for Diplomatic Security operations--which includes its bureau managed funds as well as other funding such as personnel salaries--was almost $4.8 billion. Diplomatic Security Staffing Challenges: Diplomatic Security's workforce--including 3,488 direct-hire, 1,989 other U.S. government, and 45,870 contract personnel--continues to grow. However, potential challenges exist regarding the distribution of domestic and overseas positions, posting fully qualified individuals in the assignments with the greatest needs, and ongoing efforts to fill language-designated positions. Physical Security of U.S. Diplomatic Facilities: Diplomatic Security and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations collaborate to meet safety standards when constructing new embassies and mitigating risks at existing facilities. However, GAO made recommendations to address gaps in State's security related activities and processes. Physical Security of Diplomatic Residences and Other Soft Targets: State has taken steps to address residential security vulnerabilities and manage risks at schools and other soft targets overseas. However, GAO recommended actions to address weaknesses in State's efforts. Security Training Compliance: While State has robust security training requirements, it lacks consistent monitoring and enforcement processes, particularly for its Foreign Affairs Counter Threat training and for security refresher briefings at posts. Embassy Crisis and Evacuation Preparedness: Gaps in State's implementation and monitoring of crisis and evacuation preparedness could endanger staff assigned to overseas posts and the family members accompanying them. GAO has recommended actions to address these issues. Department of Defense (DOD) Support to U.S. Diplomatic Missions: Following the Benghazi attacks, DOD increased its support to U.S. diplomatic missions by creating dedicated military forces to respond to crises and expanding the Marine Security Guard program at overseas missions. However, State and DOD reported that they have experienced some logistical and other challenges. Dissemination of Threat Information: State has processes for communicating threat information to post personnel and U.S. citizens in-country. However, post personnel--including locally employed staff--have not always received important information in a timely manner. GAO has recommended steps State needs to take to address this concern. Countering Human Intelligence Threats: Foreign intelligence entities from host nations and third parties are motivated to collect information on U.S. operations and intentions. State has established measures to counter the human intelligence threat and works with other U.S. government agencies to identify and assess this threat. Ensuring Information Security: GAO has designated federal information security as a government-wide high-risk area and made recommendations to address these issues. State faces evolving threats and challenges to maintaining obsolete technology, defining clear roles and responsibilities for information security, and overseeing technology contractors. Status of Recommendations Made in Reports following the Benghazi Attack: In response to the Benghazi attack, State formed interagency teams to evaluate the security at 19 dangerous posts, convened an Accountability Review Board (ARB) to investigate the attack, and established panels to conduct further assessments. As of June 2017, State reported having addressed recommendations as follows: 268 of 287 made by the interagency teams, 26 of 29 by the ARB, and 64 of 75 by the panels. Terrorist attacks against U.S. diplomats and personnel overseas have led to increased attention of State's diplomatic security efforts. In this special publication, GAO identifies key issues affecting Diplomatic Security for Congressional oversight. These issues were identified from a body of related GAO work and State and other reports. GAO also interviewed U.S. officials from State and other agencies to obtain their views on key issues, obtain updated information and data, and follow up on actions they have taken on past GAO and other oversight report recommendations. What GAO Recommends: While State has taken steps to close recommendations made in past GAO reports, GAO identified 27 open recommendations from these reports (as of August 2017) that it believes should be given high priority for implementation. Of the 27 priority recommendations, 24 were related to diplomatic security.

State Department

State Department PDF Author: United States Government Accountability Office
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781719035514
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description
STATE DEPARTMENT: Diplomatic Security Challenges

State Department

State Department PDF Author: Jess T. Ford
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437926673
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 66

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Book Description
State Department's (State) Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is responsible for the protection of people, information, and property at over 400 foreign missions and domestic locations. DS must be prepared to counter threats such as crime, espionage, and passport fraud, technological intrusions, political violence, and terrorism. This report assesses: (1) how DS's mission has evolved since 1998; (2) how its resources have changed over the last 10 years; and (3) the challenges it faces in conducting its missions. The auditor analyzed DS data; reviewed relevant documents; and interviewed officials at several domestic facilities and 18 international missions. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

The Diplomat's Shield

The Diplomat's Shield PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 110

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Diplomatic Security

Diplomatic Security PDF Author: U.s. Government Accountability Office
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781974643745
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
"Department of State's (State) Bureau of Diplomatic Security (Diplomatic Security) protects people, information, and property at over 400 locations worldwide and has experienced a large growth in its budget and personnel over the last decade. Diplomatic Security trains its workforce and others to address a variety of threats, including crime, espionage, visa and passport fraud, technological intrusions, political violence, and terrorism. To meet its training needs, Diplomatic Security relies primarily on its Diplomatic Security Training Center (DSTC).GAO was asked to examine (1) how Diplomatic Security ensures the quality and appropriateness of its training, (2) the extent to which Diplomatic Security ensures that training requirements are being met, and (3) any challenges that Diplomatic Security faces in carrying out its training mission. GAO examined compliance with accreditation processes; analyzed data and documentation related to the agency's training efforts; and interviewed officials in Washington, D.C., and five overseas posts."

History of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the United States Department of State - Covering the Cold War, Mccarthyism, Spies, Leaks, Bugs, Ambassador Dubs Killing, and Moscow Embassy Bugging

History of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the United States Department of State - Covering the Cold War, Mccarthyism, Spies, Leaks, Bugs, Ambassador Dubs Killing, and Moscow Embassy Bugging PDF Author: U. S. Department of State
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781982920920
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 459

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Book Description
This Diplomatic Security history, professionally researched and written by the State Department Historian's Office, is an authoritative reference source and an archival record of the many critical duties, milestone events, prominent personalities, and worldwide locations with which DS has been associated over the past century. The first comprehensive, detailed history ever prepared, it is dedicated to the men and women who have served the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and its predecessors - the Office of Security (SY) and the Office of the Chief Special Agent of the U.S. Department of State - from the inception in 1916 up to the present. Contents:PREFACE - DEFINING DIPLOMATIC SECURITY * INTRODUCTION - THE FOUNDATIONS OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY * CHAPTER 1 - SPECIAL AGENTS, SPECIAL THREATS * Creating the Office of the Chief Special Agent, 1914-1933 * CHAPTER 2 - THE VITAL FUNCTION * World War II and Diplomatic Security * CHAPTER 3 - CREATING A SECURITY OFFICE * Robert L. Bannerman and Cold War, 1945-1950 * CHAPTER 4 - McCARTHYISM AND COLD WAR * Diplomatic Security in the 1950s * CHAPTER 5 - SPIES, LEAKS, BUGS, AND DIPLOMATS * Diplomatic Security in the 1960s * CHAPTER 6 - THE GREAT TRANSFORMATION * Terrorism and Diplomatic Security, 1967-1978 * CHAPTER 7 - ACCELERATING TRANSFORMATION * Enhancing Security, 1979-1985 * CHAPTER 8 - ALL UNDER ONE ROOF * A Bureau for Diplomatic Security, 1986-1992 * CHAPTER 9 - A BLUEPRINT FOR SECURITY * DS, Terrorism, and the Post-Cold War World, 1992-2000 * EPILOGUE - NEW MILLENNIUM, NEW CHALLENGES, NEW RESPONSIBILITIES, 2001-2010 * CONCLUSION - A MONUMENTAL BUT ESSENTIAL TASK * APPENDIX * Statement by the White House on the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986: September 19, 1986 * Public Law 99-399: Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 [excerpt]This history focuses on how the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) and each of its predecessors (the Office of Security, the Security Office, and the Office of the Chief Special Agent) emerged and changed over the course of nearly a century. The work also describes how and why several security-related functions became centralized into a security office. Until recently, the personnel and resources devoted to the Department's security office have been small in relation to the enormous task confronting the Department's security professionals. As a result, individuals figure prominently in this history and their contributions are highlighted when possible.Practices, procedures, and responsibilities often arise well before a bureaucracy designates a person or office to specialize in that task. Historians of cryptology have shown that rulers and diplomats used codes and ciphers in communications long before a national, city-state, or royal government devoted an entity or person exclusively to the creation of codes or the encryption / decryption of communications. Past generations of U.S. diplomats, including the first diplomat Benjamin Franklin, gave serious consideration to diplomatic security, yet, how they conceived the threats they faced and the countermeasures they devised were determined by the available technology and the milieu in which they lived. Some measures have changed so markedly that they now seem minimally related to security, yet the contribution of such "forgotten" measures to the history of diplomatic security is unmistakable. For example, from 1800 to 1916, Despatch Agents were the Department's foremost security personnel, but their work has changed significantly so that they are no longer viewed as security personnel.Rather than trying to discuss each of the many security-related measures enacted by the Department of State, this history concentrates upon the broader context of threats and crises confronting the Department during a particular era, as well as the measures that fell eventually under the purview of DS. The work examines such measures as codes, couriers, espionage, and more.