Strategic Plan 2020

Addendum, April 2017

Defense Security Service

Our Agency, Our Mission, Our Responsibility
[2] DSS Strategic Plan Addendum 2020
DSS Strategic Plan Addendum 2020 [3]

Defense Security Service Defense Security Service

Addendum

The DSS Strategic Plan 2020 is designed to support the agency’s continuous changing 

and emerging requirements to include new initiatives, missions and areas of focus. 

With this in mind, the agency has recognized that cyber operations are on the forefront 

of both presenting and mitigating risk in the National Industrial Security Program. As an 

agency priority, DSS is raising cyber operations to an objective under Goal 1: Strengthen 

capabilities to continually identify, evaluate, and mitigate risk to the DoD and the national 

industrial base.

Objective 1.5: Innovate and implement cyberspace effects

Maneuvering speed and broad access in cyberspace are unique challenges to which 

classic mitigations are unaccustomed. We must focus as a whole on innovation and 

implementation of our cyber capabilities to strengthen our effectiveness; just as our 

adversaries have invested heavily and significantly in cyber. Hence, DSS seeks to build a 

culture of cyberspace learning, innovation, and expanded policies for leveraging the cyber 

domain to continually identify, evaluate, and mitigate risk to the national industrial base, 

the agency, and DoD. 
[4] DSS Strategic Plan Addendum 2020

DSS Strategic Plan 2020

 Strategy Map

Strengthen capabilities to 

continually identify, evaluate, 

and mitigate risk to the DoD and 

national industrial base

Enable government and industry 

stakeholders to proactively 

manage risk

Strengthen National Security 

Partnerships

GOAL 1 GOAL 2 GOAL 3

Assess, analyze, and 

continuously enhance 

DSS’ approaches to risk 

management 

Proactively analyze and 

plan for impacts of emerging 

law, policy, plans, and 

processes on DSS mission 

execution

Support National and 

Department of Defense 

initiatives to improve security 

programs, processes, and 

practices

Conduct contingency 

planning for potential new 

operations

Innovate and implement 

cyberspace effects

Facilitate the availability of 

security education, training 

and certification products 

and services 

Develop relevant and 

innovative content and 

services to support security 

awareness and information 

reporting

Provide timely, relevant, and 

accurate analysis to DSS, 

Industry, and Government 

decision makers

Foster a proactive, riskfocused culture among our 

stakeholders and partners

Expand delivery of security 

education, training, and 

certification products and 

services beyond the DoD

Execute a comprehensive 

strategic outreach program

Grow existing and establish 

new partnerships

Support DoD and the US 

Government in proactively 

shaping emerging security 

law and policy

Establish and better 

leverage existing 

collaboration networks 

and processes to manage/

share information with 

stakeholders

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.5

2.4

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4
DSS Strategic Plan Addendum 2020 [5]

Defense Security Service

Vision

Through partnership and innovation, safeguard our Nation’s interests as the premier provider of 

industrial security risk management and security professional development services.

Mission

The Defense Security Service (DSS) strengthens 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 the DoD and for other U.S. Government personnel, contractor 

employees, and representatives of foreign governments.

GOAL 4 GOAL 5

Empower a mission-driven 

workforce responsive to the 

changing environment

Provide enterprise solutions 

to improve operations and 

performance management

Strengthen and sustain 

a diverse, technically 

competent, and 

professional workforce

Grow leaders to meet the 

challenges of an evolving 

security environment

Enhance recruitment, 

development and retention 

strategies that foster a 

culture of collaboration 

and teamwork 

Establish and implement 

a sustainable strategic 

management framework 

Establish requirements 

and framework for 

defining and managing 

knowledge - [collection, 

storage, analysis and sharing 

of information]

Define, develop and 

deliver tools and 

capabilities to enhance 

agency operations 

Improve and document 

policies and processes that 

govern internal operations to 

optimize mission execution, 

ensure consistency and 

clarify intent across the 

Enterprise

Evaluate operational and 

support requirements, 

services, and products to 

identify efficiencies and 

cost savings

4.1

4.2

4.3

5.1

5.3

5.2

5.4

5.5
DSS Strategic Plan 2020

Addendum, April 2017

Defense Security Service