Industrial security & fso CONSULTING
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I engage FSO PROS®?
- We do not direct clients to a call center.
- FSO PROS® is a mid-sized FSO consulting firm, which means that in addition to being able to provide our clients with a dedicated primary point-of-contact, we work as a team and have the benefit of redundant support when the primary POC is not available.
- Our team members average over 12 years of experience as an FSO or AFSO.
- FSO PROS® has a methodical hiring process, vetting our professionals for the proper skillset, experience, relevant training, and consulting aptitude.
- The team members who provide on-going support are full-time employees with FSO PROS®.
- We work remotely but can travel to the Client’s facility for self-inspections, DCSA audits or special projects.
- Our IT posture is compliant with NIST 800.171 (CMMC Leve 2); we are on the Microsoft GCC enclave, and we have the capability of sending and receiving encrypted emails to handle CUI.
How can my organization engage FSO PROS®?
FSO PROS® has multiple service options to meet our clients’ needs. We start with a discovery call to learn about the organization and their security program, answer any questions they have, and share our complete SOW with the engagement options. We can accommodate a SOW change with 30-day’s notice as we understand that our client’s support needs may change over time.
What are the typical service offerings?
Industrial Security Consulting — “Security SME & GovCon Advisory”
FSO PROS® Security SME Advisory option provides Industrial Security Consulting support on a 1-hour minimum monthly retainer basis, to provide consulting support for organization’s facility security program, such as FCL submission (post sponsorship), program development, security training, safeguarding, FOCI and DCSA audit preparation. We are here to support as needed, answer any industrial security related questions, walk clients through the government systems, assist with self-inspections, and help with audit preparation, etc. Under this option, we do not take action unless clients specifically request us to do so, however we provide updates regarding changes in the industry, so organizations can prepare for upcoming requirements.
AFSO Passive Support — “Surge Security Support”
Passive support to assist with project surges or understaffed security teams. Compliance, training, and personnel security support are available under this option, including backup user(s) with access to the organization’s government systems.
AFSO Managed Services with 351X — “FSO Program Management”
Complete support to proactively handle most aspects of the organization’s security program, including compliance monitoring, regular personnel security support, and alternate user(s) with access to the organization’s government systems.
This option utilizes 351X, our proprietary Security Management + Counterintelligence + Compliance Software as a Service Application.
One-Time Support — “Ask an FSO”
One-on-one consulting sessions with a certified FSO. Get clear answers, system walkthroughs, and compliance guidance.
Security Talent Acquisition
FSO PROS® can also provide fee-based and project-based SOWs for specific needs, such as candidate sourcing, candidate vetting, training and placement services.
What are the Rules of Engagement with FSO PROS®?
Industrial Security Consulting:
We are here to support you when you need assistance. We can advise on industrial security related inquiries, walk you through how to do things in the government systems, assist with projects, self-inspections and audit preparation. Under this option, we do not take action unless you specifically request us to do so.
- What FSO Pros can do:
Our team can provide advisory consulting guidance and training on policy and compliance, and we can support with facility security program related tasks, such as an FCL submission package, policy docs and DCSA audit preparation.
- What FSO Pros cannot do:
We cannot make decisions for you about your security practice, and we cannot be the primary oversight of your security activities.
- What we need from you:
We need an internal partner that can direct traffic, authorize tasking of security items to our team, and provide the necessary information, documentation, and access needed to accomplish any tasks you would like us to tackle.
- Hours of availability:
Our team is available during core business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. If an emergency occurs outside business hours, we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
AFSO Passive Support:
We are here to support you when you need assistance. We can advise on industrial security related inquiries, walk you through how to do things in the government systems, assist with projects, such as cleared personnel on/off boarding, self-inspections and audit preparation. Under this option, we do not take action unless you specifically request us to do so.
- What FSO Pros can do:
Our team can provide guidance on policy and compliance, take on typical personnel security activities, and we can be an extra set of eyes for impending security activities.
- What FSO Pros cannot do:
We cannot make decisions for you about your security practice, and we cannot be the primary oversight of your security activities.
- What we need from you:
We need an internal partner that can direct traffic, authorize tasking of security items to our team, and provide the necessary information, documentation, and access needed to accomplish any tasks you would like us to tackle.
- Hours of availability:
Our team is available during core business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. If an emergency occurs outside business hours, we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
AFSO Managed Services:
Complete support to proactively handle most aspects of the organization’s security program, including compliance monitoring, regular personnel security support, and alternate user(s) with access to the organization’s government systems.
- What FSO Pros can do:
FSO Pros can provide guidance on policy and compliance, take on typical personnel security activities, and we can be an extra set of eyes for impending security activities and monitor personnel in the government system(s), based on your preferences and by utilizing our Security + Counterintelligence + Compliance software as a service application, 351X.
- What FSO Pros cannot do:
We cannot make decisions for you about your security practice, and we cannot take on the KMP (Key Management Personnel) role of the Facility Security Officer or Insider Threat Program Senior Official.
- What we need from you:
We need an internal partner that can “direct traffic,” authorize tasking of security items to our team, and provide the necessary information, documentation, and access needed to accomplish any tasks you would like us to tackle.
- Hours of availability:
Our team is available during core business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. If an emergency occurs outside business hours, we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible
What are the next steps once I am ready to move forward with FSO PROS®?
- Complete the FSO PROS® Consulting Agreement and Exhibits, in which we will counter-sign and return along with our Client On-Boarding Form.
- Our accounting department will send our Form W-9 and Remittance Info to the email address you’ve provided to receive our monthly invoicing. In addition to ACH or check payments, we accept Credit Cards and PayPal payments via our online billing portal.
- We will coordinate a kick-off call with your team, where we gather pertinent information about the organization, as well as the Client’s procedures and preferences. It would be very helpful to have the individual(s) on this call who are well versed in your current program. FSO PROS® will determine who will best support your security program, based on multiple factors and make introductions to all parties. We will begin the initial discovery into specifics about your security program, discuss our support, next steps, and initial projects.
- FSO PROS® team members typically obtain access to the Client’s security docs via a shared repository such as SharePoint or DropBox through a secure connection.
- For organizations with an established Facility Security Program, FSO PROS® prefers to begin service with a program review (self-inspection) to determine any deficiencies and to build an SOP documenting program information, ensuring continuity of support for our clients.
- FSO PROS® will provide a group email address shared by our team members who are assigned to support your organization. As an option, the FSO PROS® group email address can be added to the client’s security group email address.
- FSO PROS® consultants can communicate directly with the client’s employees, customers, etc. via FSO PROS® Microsoft GCC email, however client must provide FSO PROS® with at least one point-of-contact authorized to make decisions for the security program on behalf of the Client.