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ISS > INDUSTRIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD: ISAB MEETINGS
INDUSTRIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD (ISAB)
MEETINGS - Record of Discussion
RECORD OF DISCUSSION
Industrial Security Advisory Board
Thursday, March 29, 2007
9:30 - 12:00
2745 Iris Street, 1st Floor Boardroom
Industry Associations
- Ron Kane
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC)
- Marv Sywyk
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA)
- Paul Gillissie
Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS)
- Joanne Stanley
Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA) (until 11:15)
- Stan Jacobson
Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI)
- Mike O'Neil
Canadian Business Information Network (CABiNET)
- Michael Atkinson
Canadian Construction Association (CCA)
- Bill Munson
Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)
- Marie Thibodeau
Facility Operations and Maintenance Association of Canada (FOMAC)
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)
Industrial Security Sector (ISS)
- Ovila Robichaud
A/Director General
- Albert Bissonnette (replaced by Yves Lafleur item #3 until meeting end)
A/Director, Canadian and International Industrial Security Directorate (CIISD)
- Peter Hull (replaced by Michel Genest item #3 until meeting end)
Director, Controlled Goods Directorate (CGD)
- Cynthia Armstrong
Director, Program Harmonization and Services Directorate (PHSD)
- Michelle Tardif
Manager, Strategic Planning and Performance Measurement, PHSD (ISAB-GISAB Secretariat)
Acquisitions
- Richard Goodfellow
Manager, Project Delivery Services Division, Professional Services Procurement Directorate
Guests
Government Industrial Security Advisory Board
- Helen Brown
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
- Robert Lanthier
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Farryl Loney
Treasury Board Secretariat
Observers
- Marni Dicker
Facility Operations and Maintenance Association of Canada (FOMAC)
- Vlada Shilina
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC)
- Michel Boulet
Manager, Registration and Outreach Division, CIISD
- Marc Charron
Manager, Policy Research and Risk Management Division, PHSD
- Karyn Clost
Manager, Business Systems Operations Division, PHSD
- Tita Cochrane
Manager, Canadian and International Industrial Security, Visits Division, CIISD
- Pierre Gagne
Manager, Registration and Outreach Division, CGD
- Michel Genest
Manager, Inspections and Investigations Division, CGD
- Yves Lafleur
Manager, Personnel Security Screening Division, CGD
- Diane Lewis
Manager, Management and Best Practices, CGD
1. Introduction
Albert Bissonnette introduced Ovila Robichaud, A/Director General of the Industrial Security Sector and provided some biographical details.
Ovila Robichaud welcomed members to the meeting and expressed his views regarding the importance of the committee. He indicated that ISS continues to take industry concerns seriously and he is intent on building on the efforts of this committee to strengthen relationships between government and industry. He advised members that he will be arranging one-on-one meetings with ISAB industry members in the next month to get a more in-depth knowledge of their specific issues and concerns. Action: Ovila Robichaud
2. Update on Initiatives (part I)
- Controlled Goods
Tracking Report
1.5 E-Learning - The first module of the E-learning
initiative will be available in April. CGD will be ensuring that the
Controlled Goods Working Group will have the opportunity to review and
comment prior to its release.
1.8 Government Security Map - A draft listing of "Who's
Who" in the government industrial security community has been prepared
and will be circulated to those on the list to ensure they are the most
appropriate points of contact for their respective organizations, and
that they agree to being included in proposed electronic posting. Action:
Peter Hull; Michelle Tardif
- Controlled Goods Working Group - Noting that the
second meeting of the Controlled Goods Working Group (CGWG) occurred
on January 17, Peter provided the following update regarding its activities:
CGD Registered Persons Search site: One of the main
items being worked on by the CGWG is the web listing of registered companies.
Considering several associations refer to the listing on a regular basis,
the Working Group will recommend that the list be retained, but with
some modifications to minimize any risk that may accrue to the Crown
if listed information is misused. Chief among the modifications being
considered is an amendment to the existing Controlled Goods Registration
Application that will offer inclusion on the electronic listing to registrants
on a voluntary basis. Information regarding the usefulness of inclusion
on the electronic listing of CG registrants will be requested from interested
ISAB members for apprising prospective Controlled Goods registrants.
Designated Officials: The CGWG will be considering
developing a letter for the signature of designated officials and/or
other responsible company officials to document formal acknowledgement
by them, of their responsibilities under the Defence Production Act
and the Controlled Goods Regulations.
References: To provide greater program rigor, the CGWG
will also develop a position paper for ISAB decision regarding the usefulness
and best practices for conducting required reference checks.
- Canadian and International Industrial Security
Tracking Report
1.3 Results of Industry Survey - Albert indicated that
he has been meeting with Company Security Officers and other officials
to find out what countries they plan on doing business with over the
next 5 years. This will help the directorate determine where new agreements
should be pursued.
1.6 Improved Access to Government Information - Albert
distributed a list of Qs and As to members and noted they would be added
to our website. He confirmed that these will be circulated electronically
and asked members to advise whether they are pertinent and if they would
be useful on their own websites.
Pooling - Albert indicated that discussions had been
held with union officials and we are confirming with our Legal Services
whether these groups can act as an "organization" or "association" and
request/verify security clearances. This merged into a discussion raised
by industry (Mike O'Neil) regarding progress to eliminate the need to
duplicate clearances that created increased workload demands on industry.
Helen Brown noted that the Strategic Steering Committee - Security,
which includes membership from ISS, RCMP and CSIS is looking at this
issue along with others that may provide for more transferability and
simplified access.
- Contract Security Working Group - The next meeting
will be scheduled for May.
3. General Administration
Approval of Minutes
ISAB approved the Minutes of the October 5, 2006 Joint ISAB/GISAB with two editorial changes and one content change (in relation to status of RCMP qualification grid). Action: Michelle Tardif - completed: see link attached. http://www.iss.gc.ca/text/isab/record_october5_e.htm
Meeting with U.S.
Ovila advised that ISS will determine by April 4th whether it will be hosting a meeting with the U.S. in May or in October. Action: Ovila Robichaud - completed; ISS will host this meeting in October.
4. Clearance Process
Government Security Policy - Treasury Board Secretariat
Farryl Loney provided an overview of the Government Security Policy and identified departmental responsibilities under the GSP. He highlighted requirements for safeguarding personnel and assets and for ensuring continuity of operations. He indicated that the GSP has been undergoing significant modification in line with the TB Policy Suite Renewal (whose goal is to decrease the number of policies by 50%) and that, once re-issued, supporting directives, standards and guidelines will be promulgated. He noted that work on the directives and standards is proceeding and they should be ready to be issued/promulgated shortly after approval of the policy by the Treasury Board.
Personnel Security Clearances - Industrial Security Sector
Yves Lafleur provided information on the roles and responsibilities of PWGSC, CSIS and the RCMP in processing security clearances. He noted PWGSC is responsible for processing, granting and denying personnel security clearances. His presentation included process charts identifying the timing for each element of the security clearance process and highlighting where "avoidable" delays occur in the process. All members were encouraged to share this information and "tips" with their membership so that companies can act proactively to prevent some of these delays in the future.
Loyalty Determinations - Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
Helen Brown provided highlights on CSIS' involvement in the screening process and identified the length of time it can take to obtain information and confirm loyalty. She offered three main tips that can help alleviate workload pressures on CSIS and help them ensure that their resources are being used for needed activities only.
- CSIS should be advised immediately of instances where a requested loyalty check is no longer required;
- Companies should ensure that the person in fact requires the level of clearance being requested.
- Forms should be filled out completely and accurately and contain the required signatures on consent forms.
Fingerprint and Criminal Records Name checks - Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Chief Superintendent Robert Lanthier provided an overview of the timing for obtaining criminal record name checks and fingerprint checks. He identified the users of the RCMP's services including industry, provinces, etc.
General
Farryl noted that TBS is examining the issue of redress mechanisms regarding denials, e.g., Security and Intelligence Review Committee and the importance of ensuring that reference checks are conducted and that appropriate denials of Reliability Screening are done in order to avoid larger issues. Yves Lafleur added to this point outlining the clearance process in ISS, i.e., if the individual's name is a "hit", a Resolution of Doubt interview is held. If that interview is not satisfactory the following transpires:
- Reliability status - a denial letter, identifying recourse options, is signed by the Director then sent to the CSO and the individual.
- Security clearance - a denial letter, identifying recourse options, is signed by the Deputy Minister then sent to the CSO and the individual.
5. Update on Initiatives (part II)
The Update on Initiatives continued as Cynthia Armstrong identified progress against ISS Tracking Report business transformation-related activities.
Tracking Report
- 1.1a On-line Inquiry Service - Cynthia indicated
that the prototype has been developed and the application is currently
undergoing final testing. Once the new hardware is in place, a planned
roll out will take place with pilot users. Members asked if they could
add additional members to the pilot. They should contact Cynthia or
Karyn Clost if they wish to participate.
- 1.1b Pooling of Government Security Clearances -
The concept of pooling has a number of definitions, from a pool that
can be accessed by anyone to "portability" (the ability of an individual
to move from one organization to another with the security clearance
in tact.) This initiative has been the subject of discussions with Acquisitions
Branch, Access to Information and Privacy officials. Both organizations
consider that there are significant issues and we expect to hear that
we will not be permitted to pursue this initiative.
6. Round Table
CADSI: Stan Jacobson noted that there are very high expectations
by industry related to on-line training.
CCA: Mike Atkinson indicated that CCA members are concerned
with post-award FSCs. This item will be added to the next ISAB Agenda
with Acquisitions Branch to provide input. An e-mail will be prepared
on what we can we do to ensure that the procurement officers have a basic
knowledge or training relating to security. Action: Michelle Tardif
AIAC: Ron Kane noted portability remains an issue as
well as the developments on ITARs (e.g., unclassified non-technical data).
Acquisitions Branch: Richard Goodfellow discussed concerns
regarding DND clearances as well as the availability of Standing Offers
for Security Guard Services. Action: Albert Bissonnette; Yves Lafleur;
Richard Goodfellow to discuss further.
Next Meeting
Thursday, June 14, 2007
9:30 - 12:00
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