OFFICE OF 

INSPECTOR GENERAL Inspection Report 

Physical Security in the Farm 

Credit Administration's 

Headquarters 

I‐18‐04 

Inspectors

Tori Kaufman 

Sonya Cerne 

Issued December 7, 2018 

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical security controls safeguard FCA employees and assets.

Physical security is unique in different locations and buildings, 

and the strongest controls cannot eliminate security risks. 

However, strong controls and preparedness can improve overall 

security. For this inspection, we reviewed FCA headquarters and

the Emergency Operations Center. Our review focused on

controls in the following areas: 

 Access,

 Computers and other equipment,

 Emergency preparedness, and

 Personnel records.

To test physical security controls, we performed walkthroughs 

and surveyed selected employees. We developed a checklist to

test controls. Because each field office is unique, this checklist

served as a framework to identify areas for improvement. 

To accomplish our objective, we also reviewed laws, regulations, 

policies, and procedures; interviewed Agency personnel; and 

reviewed prior reviews related to our objective. This inspection 

was performed in accordance with the Council of the 

Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency’s Quality 

Standards for Inspection and Evaluation. 

We found controls were in place and generally effective.

However, we identified opportunities to further improve 

physical security in headquarters. Our report included seven 

recommendations to Agency management. The Agency 

disagreed with Recommendation 1 and it will move to the 

management decision process for resolution. The Agency 

agreed with Recommendations 2-7. Based on the actions 

initiated during our review, Recommendations 3-7 

are considered closed. 

This report contains sensitive information about FCA and 

potential vulnerabilities that could be used against the Agency; 

therefore, we are not releasing it publicly. 

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the inspection was 

to determine the effectiveness of

controls related to physical security 

in FCA’s headquarters.

BACKGROUND 

The Farm Credit Administration 

(FCA or Agency) is an independent 

Federal agency responsible for 

regulating, examining, and 

supervising the Farm Credit System

and the Federal Agricultural

Mortgage Corporation. The mission

of the Agency is to ensure a safe,

sound, and dependable source of 

credit and related services for all 

creditworthy and eligible persons in

agriculture and rural America. 

FCA employees are critical to 

achieving its mission, and the 

Agency identifies its people as a

strategic priority. A critical aspect of 

this priority is physical security for 

employees and offices. FCA has its 

headquarters and a field office in

McLean, Virginia. The Agency also 

has four field offices in 

Bloomington, Minnesota; Dallas,

Texas; Denver, Colorado; and

Sacramento, California. 

The Farm Credit System Building 

Association (FCSBA) leases the 

office space for FCA field offices.
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 

Report Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Mismanagement

Phone:  Toll Free (800) 437‐7322; (703) 883‐4316 

Fax: (703) 883‐4059 

E‐mail:  fca‐ig‐hotline@rcn.com

Mail:  Farm Credit Administration

Office of Inspector General

1501 Farm Credit Drive 

McLean, VA  22102