ISS > INDUSTRIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD: ISAB MEETINGS

INDUSTRIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD (ISAB)

RECORD OF DISCUSSION

Industrial Security Advisory Board
Thursday, September 29, 2005
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
2745 Iris Street, 1st Floor Boardroom

Industry Associations

• Ron Kane
  Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
  
  
• Paul Gillissie
  Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS)
  
  
• Joanne Stanley
  Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA)
  
  
• Mike O’Neil
  Canadian Business Information Network (CABiNET)
  
  
• Michael Atkinson
  Canadian Construction Association (CCA)
  
  
• Stan Jacobson
  Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI)
  
  
• Guest: Lisa Dudzik
  Facility Operations and Maintenance Association of Canada
  
  
• Absent: Bill Munson
  Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)

Industrial Security Sector (ISS)
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)

• Gerry Deneault
  Director General
  
  
• Albert Bissonnette
  A/Director, Canadian and International Industrial Security Directorate (CIISD)
  
  
• Peter Hull
  Director, Controlled Goods Directorate (CGD)
  
  
• Cynthia Armstrong
  Director, Program Harmonization and Services Directorate (PHSD)
  
  
• Michelle Tardif
  Manager, Strategic Planning and Performance Measurement, PHSD /Advisory Board Secretariat
  

Overview:

Gerry Deneault apprised members of developments within the Industrial Security Sector (ISS) since the May 29th meeting (increased workforce, progress in the reduction of backlogs), provided members with the new Vision and Mission of ISS, and discussed the ongoing ISS restructuring exercise and business transformation initiatives.

ISAB members identified their industry-specific issues related to ISS processes and provided suggestions for improvement. Concerns and suggestions included:

1. reduce red tape by making security clearances more “portable” across companies/government departments and agencies;
   
   
2. develop and eliminate the need for companies to duplicate efforts, i.e., applications, cancellations;
   
   
3. provide easier access to training and basic information;
   
   
4. develop a quicker process or means for CSOs to verify clearances.

Actions Items:

Industry Associations agreed to:

1. Participate or solicit participation for CIISD and CGD working groups as appropriate.

Industrial Security Sector agreed to:

1. Add the Vision and Mission to ISS Internet site (completed) and advise members.
   
   
2. Add the Facility Operations and Maintenance Association of Canada as a new member of the ISAB as a result of a vote of members (complete - reflected on Internet site).
   
   
3. Continue pursuing streamlining activities and means for addressing industry association concerns, such as:
   
   a) in consultation with Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), the RCMP and CSIS, developing a government-wide solution to make clearances more portable (possibly via the GoC shared services initiative);
   
   b) examining “partnership” opportunities with industry associations, i.e., assistance with sponsorships, use of “pools” for cleared consultants /temporary help / contractors;
   
   c) developing tools, such as E-learning, for providing companies with basic information on Industrial Security processes, obtaining clearances, etc.;
   
   d) looking for opportunities (or changes to processes) which will help companies in meeting their security responsibilities (prevention), i.e., “white hat” versus “black hat” approach;
   
   e) examining the use of a secure web sites to allow CSOs to personally “verify” clearances on a “real time” basis;
   
   f) reviewing processes to reduce times related to international contracts or out-of-country clearances, e.g., feasibility of “Letters of Good Conduct”;
   
   g) making greater use of ISAB members for conveying ISS information to industry, i.e., identifying performance standards on Internet site, providing bulletins on new initiatives;
   
   h) inviting members of the Government of Canada security and intelligence community (i.e., RCMP, CSIS) to future meetings.
   
   
4. Albert Bissonnette will provide sample questions on CIISD to Joanne Stanley for the planned survey of CATA’s membership.
   
   
5. ISS will prepare a letter to ISAB members seeking participation in ISAB Working Groups.