Federal Information Security Educators (FISSEA) 

March 2023 Charter

I. Introduction: Federal Information Security Educators (FISSEA), founded in 

1987, is an organization run by and for Federal government information security 

professionals to assist Federal agencies in strengthening their employee 

cybersecurity awareness and training programs. The National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) has been designated as the lead for FISSEA.

II. Purpose of the Federal Information Security Educators (FISSEA): 

a. Elevate the general level of information security knowledge for the federal 

government and federally related workforce.

b. Serve as a professional forum for the exchange of information and 

improvement of information systems security awareness and training 

programs throughout the federal government.

c. Provide for the professional development of community members.

III. Organizational Structure

a. Leadership

i. Volunteer Chair(s) from Government

ii. NIST FISSEA Lead

b. Organizing Committee 

i. FISSEA Chair(s)

ii. NIST Staff

• FISSEA Lead

• FISSEA Administrative Coordinator

• Marketing, Communications, and Event Support

c. Planning Committee

i. Organizing Committee

ii. General Members - Volunteers from Academia, Industry, and 

Government

iii. FISSEA Contest Lead

iv. FISSEA Innovator Award Lead
d. Terms of Leadership

i. FISSEA Chair(s): 2 year terms with a possibility of renewal for an 

additional 2 years. Terms will be staggered with other co-chairs, if 

applicable. 

ii. FISSEA Contest and Innovator Award Leads: 2 year terms with a 

possibility of renewal for an additional 2 years. 

IV. Operation

a. Frequency of Meetings

i. Organizing Committee – monthly

ii. Planning Committee – monthly

b. Agenda and Minutes

i. Agendas – available 1 week in advance of meeting

ii. Minutes – available within 1 week after meeting

c. Communication and Collaboration Platforms

i. Email Lists - Google Groups will be used

• Members of the public may subscribe to receive 

announcements from FISSEA using the FISSEAUpdates Google 

Group. 

• FISSEA Planning Committee members will have access to the 

Planning Committee Google Group. 

ii. Meeting Collaboration Platform

• Microsoft Teams will be used for virtual meetings. Microsoft 

Teams support videos are here.

iii. Public Website

• Information about FISSEA, events, contests and other news is

published at nist.gov/fissea

V. Roles and Responsibilities

a. FISSEA Chair(s)

i. Oversee FISSEA operations to ensure continuation of activities

ii. Provide strategic direction in alignment with FISSEA’s mission and 

purpose

iii. Liaison to NIST management for divisional support and resources

iv. Serve as the emcee for FISSEA events

v. Manage the Planning Committee and facilitate meetings. This includes, 

but is not limited to:

• Coordinating the selection of event themes

• Coordinating event agendas

• Coordinating the selection of event speakers

vi. Provide suggestions to build and improve FISSEA

b. FISSEA Lead

i. Provide input to the strategic direction of FISSEA 

ii. Approve budget and monetary resources for events

iii. Provide NIST welcome during conferences (as needed)

iv. Help promote FISSEA (as applicable) to other federal agencies

c. FISSEA Coordinator
i. Support the FISSEA Chair(s) as needed

ii. Manage Organizing and Planning Committee meeting invites

iii. Coordinate Organizing and Planning Committee meeting agendas and 

minutes

iv. Coordinate with NIST communications, marketing, and event support 

staff

v. Manage FISSEA email lists

vi. Manage the FISSEA email box

vii. Provide suggestions to build and improve FISSEA

d. FISSEA Contest Lead

i. Coordinate the FISSEA Contest call for nominations

ii. Review Contest nominations and select contest winners

e. FISSEA Innovator Award Lead

i. Coordinate the FISSEA Innovator Award call for nominations

ii. Review Award nominations and select award winners

f. FISSEA Planning Committee Members

i. Support FISSEA event planning

• Help develop event themes and topics

• Provide speaker suggestions

• Help select final keynote speakers and session presenters 

• Help promote and market events

ii. Provide suggestions to build and improve FISSEA
Federal Information Security Educators (FISSEA) 

Planning Committee Monthly Meeting Agenda

Draft Template

Shared Folder | Website | Fisseacommittee@list.nist.gov | 

I. Roll Call

II. FISSEA Conference Planning

III. FISSEA Forum Planning

IV. Review Timeline and Milestones

V. Open Discussion

VI. Next Meeting Reminder