DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

Publication 11186

Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Released August 2005

www.diplomaticsecurity.state.gov

Public Affairs

Bureau of Diplomatic Security

U.S. Department of State

Washington, DC 20522-2008

571-345-2502

DIPLOMATIC SECURITY

PROTECTS

A GLOBAL FORCE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY
DIPLOMATIC SECURITY PROTECTS

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the security and law

enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State. 

Our mission is to create a secure environment for the 

conduct of American diplomacy by protecting people,

property, and information. We are a global force 34,000

strong, and protection is central to our mission.

DS Protects People 

Diplomatic Security provides protection to visiting foreign

dignitaries during approximately 140 visits to the United

States each year. Our special agents provide continuous

security for the U.S. Secretary of State and the U.S.

Ambassador to the United Nations. Diplomatic Security

also protects visiting cabinet-level foreign dignitaries, 

foreign ministers, and former heads of state who visit the

United States. We provide this security throughout the

year and at special events, such as presidential State

funerals and the annual United Nations General 2 1

A GLOBAL FORCE
Government’s security coordinator and imbedded 

special agents into some of the U.S. athletic teams.

Diplomatic Security works with other law enforcement agencies, including the Uniformed Division of the

U.S. Secret Service, to provide security for foreign

embassies, consulates, and other missions in the United

States. We consult regularly with foreign mission 

officials on issues such as personal security, emergency

action plans, physical security standards, crime 

prevention, and surveillance recognition. 

DS Protects Property

American embassies overseas are a frequent target of

terrorists, criminals, and spies. To protect our employees, the Department of State has invested millions of

dollars to enhance security measures at nearly every

U.S. embassy and diplomatic mission abroad in the

aftermath of the tragic bombings of the U.S. embassies

in Africa in 1998. 

Each U.S. mission has an extensive security 

program, developed and overseen by a regional security

officer who is the senior Diplomatic Security agent 3

Assembly in New York City. Some noteworthy dignitaries

we have protected include Great Britain’s Prince

Charles, former leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail

Gorbachev, and the Dalai Lama. The security we provide

to visiting dignitaries is based on the level of threat they

face in the United States. 

We provide protection in some of the most 

dangerous countries in the world—including Iraq,

Afghanistan, and Yemen. Diplomatic Security provides

security for U.S. ambassadors and embassy staff, and 

in a few cases, for foreign leaders in their own countries.

We have provided security for Afghanistan’s President

and Haiti’s interim prime minister.

Diplomatic Security also has played a key protective

role in all Olympic Games since 1984. During Olympics

held in the United States, we provided security to visiting foreign dignitaries. In overseas Games, Diplomatic

Security works with the host country and U.S. law

enforcement agencies to ensure the U.S. Olympic family

experiences a safe Olympics. During the 2004 Athens

Olympics, Diplomatic Security served as the U.S. 2
A force of 32,000 local guards protects the

perimeters of our overseas buildings. The guards, 

managed by a regional security officer, patrol the grounds,

and inspect vehicles, visitors, and packages. The guards

also respond to alarms and requests for assistance.

Specially trained local guards personally protect many

U.S. ambassadors and other personnel as necessary.

Local guards are usually citizens of the host nation.

In the United States, more than 750 uniformed 

officers protect about 100 Department of State buildings

and locations. They patrol the facilities, screen visitors

and packages, and monitor communications and security

systems through a state-of-the-art Security Control

Center. From the center, which operates around the

clock, officers can detect intrusions, control access, and

dispatch guards to emergency situations. When an

emergency occurs, they are often first on the scene, taking control of the situation and, when necessary, providing first aid or calling for assistance. 

Specially trained bomb-sniffing dogs help protect

our domestic employees. With security officers, the 5

at the mission. Each officer is thoroughly familiar with

the host country—its politics, economy, culture, society,

and history. The officer establishes contacts with the

host government’s security services, police, and other

credible sources of information. 

Under the direction of a regional security officer,

U.S. Marine Security Guards secure the interior of a

majority of U.S. embassies. They ensure that the 

personnel, classified material, and government property

at our diplomatic missions remain safe and secure—

especially in times of crisis. Marine Security Guards have

protected embassies during riots, terrorist strikes, and

other emergencies. In the event of an attack, Marine

Security Guards delay the aggressors long enough to

help safeguard the lives of diplomatic personnel and to

destroy classified information. During some crises, they

help evacuate Americans living in the region.

Marine Security Guards control access within U.S.

missions, conduct inspections to ensure that classified

information is secure, and monitor surveillance devices,

fire alarms, and communications systems. 4
Department employees and sensitive information from

espionage attempts. Security technical specialists work

with the engineers to install and maintain explosives

detectors, metal detectors, closed-circuit television cameras, emergency alert systems, electromagnetic door

locks, vehicle barriers, and other special equipment.

Classified documents also receive special protections. When the State Department sends classified documents or government equipment to its overseas missions,

the material could be vulnerable to those who might try to

access the materials, plant surveillance devices, or otherwise compromise it. Diplomatic couriers travel with all

classified and sensitive material sent between U.S. 

missions and the U.S. Government to ensure its security,

whether it is a diplomatic pouch containing papers and

files, or heavy equipment and construction materials. 

Diplomatic couriers also protect sensitive material by

escorting it within the United States and across international borders. Every year, couriers ensure the secure

delivery of more than 10 million pounds of material,

including classified pouches. 7

dogs patrol our buildings and check vehicles at loading

docks. As part of the protection that Diplomatic Security

provides to foreign dignitaries, security officers with dogs

frequently inspect hotels and other sites for explosives. 

DS Protects Information

Although hostile intelligence groups regularly try to spy

on Department of State buildings worldwide, Diplomatic

Security has sophisticated technical security programs

to thwart them. Security engineering officers design,

install, and manage technical equipment and computer

systems that are sophisticated—and effective. 

Some high-tech instruments can find hidden 

“bugging” devices. With other tools, the engineers can

determine if anyone is using electronic equipment to

conduct surveillance against us. Engineers also develop,

install, and maintain state-of-the-art systems to keep out

intruders and protect against physical attacks.

Technical specialists and U.S. Navy Seabees help

engineers fortify our U.S. missions. Seabees construct

buildings, rooms, and locks that shield State 6
The cyber security of the State Department’s 

classified and sensitive information is a top priority, and

Diplomatic Security aggressively defends it. Computer

security specialists continually monitor classified and

unclassified information systems. They develop strict

security measures to prevent cyber-based attacks and

high technology crimes. 

Diplomatic Security conducts 25,000 background

investigations each year on employees who have access

to classified and sensitive information, and on Department

of State job applicants. We train employees to properly

handle, store, and destroy classified and sensitive information. If the State Department suspects an information

security violation, Diplomatic Security, along with other

U.S. Government agencies, conducts an investigation. 

At Diplomatic Security, it is our job to protect

American diplomats overseas, foreign dignitaries in our

country, State Department buildings, and the classified

information that is essential to conducting U.S. diplomacy. 

For more information, visit us at 

www.diplomaticsecurity.state.gov. 8

A GLOBAL FORCE

Photo Credits

Cover: top right, AP/Wide World Photos

Page 1: AP/Wide World Photos

Page 2: AP/Wide World Photos

Page 3: left, AP/Wide World Photos

Page 4: Barry Heyman

All other photos: U.S. Department of State