National Industrial Security System (NISS)
Overview
NISS is DSS’ future information system architecture and will replace Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD) and Electronic Facilities Clearance System (e-FCL) capabilities to develop an on-demand, data-driven environment with automated workflows accessible to Industry and Government partners.
NISS is being developed and released in increments, allowing users to experience benefits quickly. The initial increment of NISS will replace and expand upon capabilities of two legacy systems, ISFD and e-FCL, and automate the Initial Facility Clearance process. This increment will also provide expanded access and transparency to security professionals’ facility information. Increment 1 will be followed by additional enhancements to the system’s functionality and integration, ultimately automating many core DSS and Industry security functions.
NISS will deploy using a soft launch in August 2017. At that time, internal and external users may register for accounts through NCAISS, familiarize themselves with system functionality, and take system training courses in STEPP. During the soft launch period, ISFD and e-FCL will remain the systems of record.
In October 2017, the soft launch period will end and the NISS will become the official system of record. ISFD and e-FCL will no longer be available. Any data entered during the soft launch period will be purged from the system. Additionally, data from ISFD and e-FCL will be migrated into NISS.
NISS solution has been developed in-line with Deputy Chief Management Officer (DCMO) requirements to maximize value while minimizing costs. DSS conducted Business Process Reengineering (BPR) of 22 core DSS functions to create streamlined and efficient workflows. The BPR efforts engaged over 300 DSS, Industry, and Government stakeholders to generate true system requirements tied to optimized business processes with milestones outlined below:
- 2013 – 2015: Conducted Business Process Reengineering on 22 Operational Processes while developing system requirements.
- September 2015: DSS awarded the Technical Development contract.
- September 2015 – Present: Developing NISS technical solution.
- August 2017: NISS deploys using a soft launch (see above description of soft launch period).
- October 2017: NISS becomes the system of record; ISFD and e-FCL are decommissioned.
- FY2018 and Beyond: Additional capabilities and functionality will be deployed.
NISS is a top DSS priority and will modernize the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Information Environment and provide the USG and Industry stakeholders with a data-driven, collaborative, integrated capability to assess and mitigate risk.
NISS Benefits
- Increased transparency for Industry and Government stakeholders
- o Ability for stakeholders to review facility clearance information, requests, communications, and results with DSS in one location
- Expedited performance against classified contracts
- Streamlined business processes, including facility clearance (FCL) processing
- Enhanced FOCI mitigation processing
- Improved processing of information system approvals
- Automatic notifications and alerts
- Upcoming security vulnerability assessments (SVA) alerts, reminders for outstanding submissions to DSS
- Dashboard feature
- Ability to monitor and track tasks and view real time facility data
- History of facility security information
- Ability to review company’s results, documentation, and interactions with DSS
- Utilizes Single Sign-On (SSO) Capabilities (NCAISS)
- Reporting features and capabilities
- Role based access to information
User Roles for External Users
- Facility Clearance Verifiers
- Facility Clearance Verifier – Government Contracting Activity (GCA)
- Facility Clearance Verifier – Other Government Activity (OGA)
- Facility Clearance Verifier – Industry
- Facility Clearance Sponsors
- Sponsor - Government Contracting Activity (GCA)
- Sponsor - Industry
- Industry Security Staff
- Corporate Security Officer
- Facility Security Officer (FSO)
- Assistant Facility Security Officer (AFSO)
- Other Security Staff
- Key Management Personnel (KMP)
Additional Information
Notices
May 24, 2017 Page Updated
Information on this page was updated.
May 9, 2017 Change in URLs for Information Systems
In an effort to avoid confusion when the Defense Information System for Security goes live later this year, the URLs for the information systems linked from the dropdown menu of the DSS main page were recently updated. If you bookmarked a URL for an information system, please update it accordingly.
September 1, 2016 Initial Update
The development of NISS is underway! Increment 1, which consists of replacing the Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD), the Electronic Facility Clearance System (e-FCL), and enhancing the Facility Clearance (FCL) process, is scheduled to deploy in Q4 FY2017. A robust testing period including DSS, Government, and Industry personnel will begin in June 2017. We will update this website if there are any changes to the schedule.
Additional functionality to include enhancing the Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) process, submitting Suspicious Contact Reports, requesting Safeguarding approvals, and mobile capabilities will be deployed in future increments.