The year 2016 marks the 50th anniversary celebration of the James S. Cogswell Award. First presented in 1966, the award is named in honor of the late Air Force Col. James S. Cogswell, who served as the first chief of industrial security within the Department of Defense. Col. Cogswell was responsible for developing the basic principles of the Industrial Security Program, which emphasizes the partnership between industry and government to protect classified information. Each year, the Defense Security Service (DSS) selects and presents the Cogswell Award to facilities that have demonstrated the stringent requirements for a “sustained degree of excellence and innovation in their overall security program management, implementation and oversight.”
The Cogswell Award
The Cogswell Award is the most prestigious honor the Defense Security Service may bestow to cleared industry. Of the more than 13,000 cleared contractors, less than one percent are annually selected to receive this award. In 2016, 42 of those facilities were selected, and awards were presented in Nashville, Tenn. at the annual NCMS training seminar on June 8, 2016. Criteria for selecting the recipients include establishing and maintaining a security program that far exceeds the National Security Program requirements; providing leadership to other cleared facilities in establishing best practices; and outstanding achievement in matters related exclusively to a facility’s security program. A DSS Industrial Security Representative may only nominate facilities
that have a minimum two consecutive superior industrial review ratings.
After the initial nomination, facilities must then go through a national
vetting process, which is consolidated by a national review team,
ranked, and submitted to the Director of DSS for final approval. Beginning in 2007, a facility must also have responded to the annual Personnel Security Investigation survey as a prerequisite for further consideration.
Award winners for 2016 included The Aerospace Corporation, Colorado Springs, Colo.; General Dynamics Mission Systems, McLeansville, N.C.; Honeywell Technology Solutions, Lexington Park, Md.; L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, Crestview,Fla.; Lockheed Martin Corporation Missiles & Fire Control, Lufkin, Texas; Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh, Wis.; University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va. The complete list of 2016 winners are to be congratulated.
Defense Security Service: National Security is our Mission
The stated mission of the DSS is to strengthen national security at home and abroad through our security oversight and education operations. DSS oversees the protection of U.S. and foreign classified information and technologies in the hands of cleared industry under the National Industrial Security Program by providing professional risk management services. As Functional Manager for the Department of Defense (DoD), DSS provides security education, training, certification, and professional development for DoD and for other U.S. Government personnel, contractor employees, and representatives of foreign governments.
Industry and Government Working Together
One of the more unique aspects of this collaboration between industry and government is the Partnership with Industry Program (PWI). Providing an opportunity for Industry and DSS Industrial Security Professionals to “walk in each other’s shoes”, the goal of PWI is for participants to gain a mutual understanding of their respective roles in industrial security, and to develop a better understanding and appreciation for challenges and obstacles faced on both sides. PWI is structured such that participating industry professionals spend three to four days at a DSS site, normally a Field or Regional Office, working closely with DSS employees. In turn, DSS personnel spend three to four days gaining exposure to issues faced by industry, allowing for first-hand observation of how security is integrated into a facility’s day to day mission. The ultimate goal is a partnership between defense and industry which “ensures the greatest protection for the U.S. warfighter and our Nation’s classified information.”
50th Anniversary Celebration Commemorative Coin
C. Forbes, Inc. is honored to have designed this custom, celebratory commemorative coin in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the James S. Cogswell Award. The bronze coin depicts the DSS insignia on the front, and the anniversary dates and national eagle symbol on the reverse. Please contact us for more information about our products and customization process. Our mission is to design, produce and present quality, custom items that tell your story. We welcome the opportunity to combine your goals with our expertise to properly commemorate your unique anniversary, event or organization.