Interagency Security Committee

On October 19, 1995, six months after the Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12977, creating the Interagency Security Committee (ISC) to address continuing government-wide security for federal facilities. Prior to 1995, minimum physical security standards did not exist for nonmilitary federally owned or leased facilities.

The ISC’s mandate is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of physical security in, and the protection of buildings and civilian federal facilities in the United States. The ISC standards apply to all civilian federal facilities in the U.S.—whether government-owned, leased or managed; to be constructed or modernized; or to be purchased.

Chief security officers and other senior executives from 42 federal agencies and departments make up the ISC membership. Leadership is provided by the chair, who is the Department's Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, the Executive Director, and five standing subcommittees.

The full Interagency Security Committee meets quarterly. Members serve on subcommittees and working groups to develop physical security policies and standards, promote key management practices, and facilitate mitigation of threats to employees and the visiting public. The ISC also engages with industry and other government stakeholders to advance best practices.

Read more about the Interagency Security Committee.

Standards and Best Practices

The Interagency Security Committee's standards and best practices are designed for federal security professionals responsible for protecting nonmilitary federal facilities in the United States. The ISC standards and best practices provide actionable strategies and processes to implement security policies and mandatory standards.

Read about the standards and best practices.