Security Horror Stories

SecurityandOther Horror StoriesFISWG9 July 2014Helen MacDonaldH3MacD Consulting

Over 35 years in DefenseOver 25 years in Security Managementsix different companiesnumerous different groups and divisionscompanies purchased by larger corporationsA lot of first-hand personal experiences to choose fromTricks of the trade

About me2Peppering: Visitors asking the same question in different styles or one visitor asking the same question to multiple U.S. contractor employeesWandering Visitor: The visitor uses the distraction provided by a large delegation to slip away, out of the control of the escortDivide and Conquer: Visitors take the U.S. team members into different areas to discuss issues in order to deprive the U.S. person of his safety net of assistance in answering questionsSwitch Visitors: A collector added to the group without leaving enough time for a background check on the new visitorBait and Switch: The visitors say they are coming to discuss business that is acceptable for discussion, but after they arrive their agenda switches to different questions and discussion topicsDistraught Visitor: When the visitors questions are not answered he/she acts insulted or creates an uncomfortable scene in an attempt to psychologically coerce information from the target

DSS Techniques UsedThe Alarming Adventures of an FSOThe China ConnectionThe Tale of the Teaming AgreementBD attends a Conference Food Court FollyVisit from a Friendly NationLegend of the Last LaughIm married???The Saga of the Uninvited GuestGovernment-to-Government GoofHola! Que?

Surprise Visit from Police!Faithful Foreign FriendsAn Afternoon in Mexico CityThe Riddle of the Disappearing Tools & Merry ChristmasThe Case of the Company PurchaseThe Mystery of the Misbehaving Widget Tag! Youre it!Export Trip Falls ApartThe FSOs PCL

Cleared Employee: Did Jim (another cleared employee) tell you that he was getting married?Me: NoCleared Employee: Wellhes getting married to somebody from China!

I have a sit-down with Jim and follow through with required reports to DSS and FBI

The China ConnectionForeign friendly country teams with my companyUnclassified contractLimited export terms: Country XUS; USCountry XFollow procedures on siteSubmit proposalExit questionQuestion via email upon return to homelandProgram Managers feedbackThe Tale of The Teaming Agreement

Peppering!6Suspicious person collecting stacks of data from each exhibitNo badgeBD employee approaches himLeft badge in roomBD employee takes him to deskNot registeredGets nameBD reports to me upon returnReports to DSS and FBIKitchen access

BD Attends an Industry Conference

Male employee goes to lunch at nearby mallApproached in Food Court by female foreign national and sits with himMale employee returns next day to mallFemale foreign national is waiting at mall entrance he used day before to befriend himEmployee reports incident to me

Food Court Folly

Export Control awaits permission for visitorsVisitors waiting in lobbyApproval arrivesWidget placementWhat I doWhat they doVisit from a Friendly Nation

Call from employee about another who left suspiciously in the middle of the work day

9-1-1 call and managementBomb SquadThe rest of the storyLegend of the Last Laugh

LAST LAUGHChecked on employee in JPASNoticed single listedAsked him to verify as Ive heard him talk about his wifeThe rest of the storyIm married???

What could go wrong in this scenario?Quiz

Unclassified meeting on classified programAll procedures followed for foreign friendly visitorsReplacement visitorNo access allowedRequests to speak to my bossDemands to speak to managementEpic temper tantrum

The Saga of The Uninvited Guest

Switch Visitors AND Distraught Visitor AND Epic Temper Tantrum13US Govt UK GovtMeetingUK needs classified documentHandoff?

Government-to-Government Goof

Whats wrong with this scenario?

Quiz

Im visiting a division and am working lateSee male Cleaning Crew member wearing badge with females photoI ask to see IDI ask for proof of U.S. Citizenship or Green CardNot only not a citizen, but cannot produce a green card either!

Hola! Que?

New contractor hired from CaliforniaSettles in and starts dating receptionistPolice visit without noticeEscort outCheck vehicleHow he was nabbed!

Surprise Visit from Police

You can always find a renegade location that doesnt see why theres a problem allowing international employees unfettered access if theyre wearing a company badge and have signed a company non-disclosure agreement

Faithful Foreign Friends

A company badge means I can access anything I want!3:00 p.m. at the airportReputable cabStuck in trafficSurprise through the windowRolex, jewelry

An Afternoon inMexico City

What did the cab driver do?

Quiz

Technician employee keeps noticing tools missing from cageThey show back up several days later, but then another tool goes missing

continuedThe Riddle of The Vanishing Tools

Company holiday partyMissing computer & related softwareBadge accessComputer ping timeSOLVED!!The rest of the storyMerry Christmas!

Small privately-owned defense contractorBought by larger organizationCorporate FSO doesnt report to DSSNew corporation = new BoDChairman = dual citizen

The Case of The Company Purchase

Foreign VisitorExport Control approvals to share demonstrationWidget doesnt workEngineers break open the widget right there in the conference room to see what the problem is

The Mystery of The Misbehaving Widget

Whats wrong with this scenario?

QuizChina expat now cleared US NationalMarries Chinese nationalCan she work here?He leavesShe remainsGoes to China for surgeryTag! Youre it!

Export needs to be hand-carriedAll export approvals in placeEager, inexperienced employeeChecks out with ICE desk at Orlando airportUpon return, lands in New YorkLate for connecting flightChecks in with ICE desk upon arrival at Orlando airportThe Approved Export Falls Apart

Whats wrong with this scenario?Quiz

The FSOs PCL

Why do people hesitate to report?Dont want to appear paranoidthere is a difference between being paranoid and being awareDont want to get involvedAfraid to challenge peopleFeel supervisor should report itFeel they should mind their own businessFear of being accused of blowing things out of proportionFear of confrontationConflict and ConfidentialityNo one will trust meDisbelief that it is happeningCREATE TRUST: Earn your employees trust by exampleEDUCATE: Use every opportunity you can to coach employeesKEEP AN OPEN DOOR: Always keep your door and your mind open to employeesBE AN ACTIVE LISTENER: Pay attention to the small details and to what you hear in hall-talkWORK WELL WITH OTHERS: Management, IT, Export Control, HR, BD, Technicians, Facilities, PurchasingQUESTION QUESTION QUESTION: Trust your gut! Question everything that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Lessons Learned

Update: The China ConnectionThe happy couple decided to adopt a babyWent to ChinaCame back with a babyOver 25 years in Security ManagementH3MacD Consulting formed this yearBasic and Tailored Security PlansFSO Assistance and TrainingStart-UpsInteractive Employee Briefings and TrainingIn-Depth Self-InspectionsProven SCR ProgramPersonnel ManagementCoordination of Visits by Industry Speakers, etc.Closed and Restricted AreasEffective DSS Audit Preparation and Representation

About H3MacDPersonalized and scaleable or just hourly33Questions?