The USDA Information Security Staff (ISS) is responsible for providing guidance to both USDA agencies and its contractors on Departmental security classification programs. ISS conducts security indoctrination and awareness training, provides guidance on the award of contracts that require access to classified information, and assists agencies with the purchase of classified destruction devices as well as secure copiers and fax machines.

Goals in Pursuit of the ISS Mission:
The following core goals best articulate the road map for PDSD’s information security mission in FY07:

Goal #1: Publish a Departmental Regulation and Manual (DR/DM) on Information Security.

Goal #2: Complete mandatory declassification reviews of all USDA archived classified documents 25 years or older.

Goal #3: Identify and establish areas within USDA Headquarters that can be used for classified discussions.

Goal #4: Conduct classification reviews of food and agriculture vulnerability assessments in support of Strategic Partnership Program Agroterrorism (SPPA) Initiative.

Goal #5: Acquire Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII) accreditation for USDA.

Goal #6: Develop and institute on-line Information Security Awareness Training.

Goal: #7: Maintain consistent customer service throughout all program areas within PDSD.