Managing industrial security in-house can appear cost effective, but the reality often tells a different story. The time, expertise, and compliance required to sustain a fully compliant Industrial Security Program (ISP) can stretch Facility Security Officers (FSOs) beyond capacity.
This blog explores:
Dig deeper below to see why DIY industrial security often costs more than partnering with experts who keep your compliance and contracts on track.
A well-rounded, NISPOM-compliant ISP goes far beyond physical access control. It includes:
For many small and mid-size defense contractors, one FSO is expected to manage all of these areas. In practice, maintaining a NISPOM-compliant ISP single-handedly is rarely sustainable.
Partnering with an organization like ISI helps FSOs stay compliant and ensures their ISP directly supports contract eligibility. Gaps in clearance management, training, or reporting can jeopardize a contractor’s Facility Clearance (FCL) and lead to delayed or lost opportunities.
Time is one of the most expensive hidden costs in industrial security. The average timeline to obtain an FCL is roughly 180 days across the industry. ISI helps qualified contractors significantly reduce clearance processing times through coordinated preparation and proactive communication with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
Every month spent waiting for an FCL delays new contract revenue. For example:
Partnering with experts who understand DCSA’s clearance process accelerates onboarding, revenue flow, and competitiveness.
FSOs who rely solely on spreadsheets or manual tracking for Personnel Clearances (PCLs) face constant risk of lapses or missed reinvestigation deadlines. If a key cleared employee’s eligibility lapses mid-project, critical work halts until access is restored.
External partners or clearance management software automate reminders, streamline documentation, and ensure continuity. The result is fewer work stoppages and stronger operational resilience. For organizations where every cleared position contributes to direct labor billing, the cost of a single lapse can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
DCSA reviews remain a top stress point for FSOs managing programs internally. Common issues include:
External compliance support eliminates guesswork. Experienced consultants can conduct pre-inspections, correct gaps early, and coach FSOs through the process. The benefit is confidence and consistency, avoiding corrective actions that delay new contracts or trigger further scrutiny.
When FSOs try to handle every task alone, their workload quickly becomes unsustainable. According to ISI’s ROI analysis, FSOs managing an entire ISP manually spend a significant portion of their workweek on administrative tasks such as clearance tracking, audit preparation, and compliance documentation.
By partnering with a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), contractors can substantially reduce that administrative burden. The return comes in:
A freed-up FSO becomes a stronger strategic asset, focusing on proactive risk management and business enablement instead of paperwork.
A mature ISP supported by external experts translates to measurable business advantages:
For many contractors, the ROI is not just cost savings—it’s opportunity acceleration. ISI clients often report stronger posture scores, shorter review cycles, and improved contract competitiveness.
DIY industrial security can appear budget-friendly, but the hidden costs tell another story. Extended FCL timelines, clearance lapses, and DCSA findings drain time and revenue.
Partnering with experts like ISI accelerates compliance, reduces risk, and strengthens your organization’s competitive position. In industrial security, the real cost of going it alone is opportunity lost.
An ISP is the comprehensive framework a cleared contractor uses to protect classified information, facilities, and personnel under the National Industrial Security Program.
An expired clearance or unresolved DCSA finding can pause or terminate contracts. Contractors must maintain active FCLs, compliant documentation, and trained personnel to remain eligible.
By handling clearance tracking, documentation, training coordination, and audit prep, an MSSP reduces workload and ensures continuous readiness.
Reduced delays, faster clearances, improved audit outcomes, and fewer interruptions in cleared work all contribute to measurable time and cost savings.