• Maintain liaison with the command special
security officer concerning investigations,
access to sensitive compartmented infor-
mation (SCI), continuous evaluation of
eligibility, and changes to information and
personnel security policies and procedures
• Maintain control of all foreign travel
reported by assigned personnel
• Coordinate with the command automatic
data processing (ADP) officer and physical
security officer on areas of mutual concern
Top Secret Control Officer
Each command that handles Top Secret infor-
mation designates, in writing, a Top Secret
control officer (TSCO). The security manager
may also be designated as the TSCO.
The person designated as TSCO is an officer;
a chief petty officer; a senior noncommissioned
officer (E-7, E-8, or E-9); or a civilian employee,
GS-7 or above. The TSCO is a U.S. citizen with
a final Top Secret clearance. Only a reliable
person of mature judgment is chosen as TSCO.
The TSCO should be completely familiar with the
requirements for protection of Top Secret
information.
The TSCO is responsible to the security
manager (if not the same person) for Top Secret
materials in the command. This responsibility
includes the receipt, custody, accounting for, and
disposition of Top Secret materials.
The TSCO performs the following duties:
• Maintains a system of accountability for
all Top Secret materials in the command. Records
the source, downgrading, movement from one
office to another, current custodian, and destruc-
tion or other disposition of the Top Secret
materials.
• Keeps dissemination of Top Secret infor-
mation to the absolute minimum necessary for
proper planning or action. No “standatd routing”
of Top Secret materials is allowed in a command.
• Transmits Top Secret materials within the
command by direct personal contact. The TSCO
doesn’t have to deliver the materials personally,
but the materials should be delivered directly to
the person who will assume responsibility for
them. Top Secret materials should never be
dropped in an “in” basket.
• Maintains a continuous collection of
signed receipts and disclosure records for all Top
Secret materials. Person-to-person contact is
mandatory for the receipting.
• Ensures physical inventories of Top Secret
materials are conducted at least once annually.
• Maintains a current roster of persons
within the command who are authorized access
to Top Secret information. The TSCO should
know who requires access and be able to assist
the security manager in determining access granted
by the command.
• Ensures all Top Secret materials are
accounted for and properly transferred when
custodians are relieved of their duties. This
requirement applies to the subcustodians of the
command as well as the TSCO.
Security Assistants
Large commands often assign assistant security
managers or departmental security coordinators.
Too often, command security managers assume
that by designating different levels of security
managers in the command, they have discharged
their responsibilities.
Inspections of major
commands have shown that the security manager
of an element within a command is usually doing
little more than classified material control. The
size or complexity of the command may demand
delegation. In such cases, command security
managers should realize they are still responsible
for the command’s Information and Personnel
Security Program as a whole. The command
security manager should provide the guidance,
coordination, and direction necessary to ensure
all of the program is being administered
effectively.
The assistant security manager is a U.S.
citizen; an officer or an enlisted person, E-6 or
above; or a civilian employee, GS-6 or above. The
assistant security manager is designated in writing.
The assistant security manager needs a back-
ground investigation only when authorized to
issue security clearances (that is, sign the clearance
9-5
