Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances

In the 22nd episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Marina O'Brien is joined by Washington, D.C., International Trade attorney Andrew McAllister to help break down the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's (DCSA) changes to the Standard Form 328 (SF-328), also known as the Certificate Pertaining to Foreign Interest. Mr. McAllister explains that the main go...

In this episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Marina O'Brien talks with Robert A. Friedman , co-head of Holland & Knight's International Trade practice and a leader of the firm's National Security & Defense Industry Group, about intelligence community (IC) security clearances. They discuss how IC clearances differ from the processes used by the U.S. Departme...

In the 20th episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey is joined by John Metz, a product manager at Agile Defense, and Antonia Tzinova , the head of Holland & Knight's CFIUS and Industrial Security Team. The trio discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industrial security space and its potential to help companies mitigate risks of Fo...

In this episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey speaks with Washington, D.C., International Trade attorney Andrew McAllister about joint ventures and how they interact with facility security clearances (FCL's). Mr. McAllister reviews the different types of joint ventures and breaks down the eligibility requirements for obtaining an FCL. He clarifies that...

In the latest episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," guest host Marina O'Brien talks to fellow Holland & Knight International Trade Associates Molly O'Casey and Caroline Howard about their roles as national security lawyers. They discuss their individual career paths and what inspired them to join the field as well as what prepared them for it. They also highlight the...

In the 17th episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey is joined by Antonia Tzinova , the head of Holland & Knight's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Industrial Security Team, to identify and analyze the many government entities that play a part in regulating mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that raise national security...

In this episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey discusses the intersection of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence (FOCI) mitigation with Libby Bloxom , a fellow member of Holland & Knight's International Trade Group. They highlight the importance of understanding both CFIUS ac...

In Episode 15 of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey and members of Holland & Knight's International Trade Group discuss the complexities of Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) and its implications for security clearances in government contracting. They explain how foreign entities can influence cleared companies, impacting classified contracts,...

In the latest episode of "Are We All Clear?", host Molly O'Casey and national security attorney Antonia Tzinova discuss Section 847 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), aimed at mitigating Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) in companies associated with non-classified U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contracts worth at least $5 million. This regulation, prompted by national...

In this episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey discusses how cleared companies follow guidelines and compliance when sharing employees or services with International Trade attorney Marina O'Brien. This episode also covers how the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) monitors cleared companies for potential foreign ownership, control, o...

In the 12th episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey and International Trade attorney Andrew McAllister provide insights on foreign influence, ownership or control (FOCI) mitigation instruments. The attorneys elaborate on the following key topics regarding FOCI mitigation: why FOCI mitigation is necessary proxy agreements, special security agreements and...

The 11th episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances" explores the role of outside directors and proxy holders within the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) framework and their significance in insulating a cleared company from its foreign owners. Host Molly O'Casey and International Trade attorney Antonia Tzinova discuss practical approaches to the se...

The 10th episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances" explores the mitigation of foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) in a cleared company. Host Molly O'Casey and International Trade attorney Andrew McAllister cover key topics in this area, including the implications of FOCI for companies that have obtained facility security clearances, common issues faced by companies...

In the ninth episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey and International Trade attorney Antonia Tzinova delve into the critical aspects of due diligence for facility and personnel clearances in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions. Drawing from her extensive experience, Ms. Tzinova guides listeners through the complexities of the National Indust...

The eighth episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances" offers an in-depth summary of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Host Molly O'Casey and International Trade attorney Andrew McAllister dive into the agency’s history, structure and functions, providing insights into the main stages of the DCSA clearance process life cycle and discussing recent devel...

In the seventh episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey delves into the pivotal role of Facility Security Officers (FSOs), providing valuable insights into responsibilities, the selection process and key considerations for maintaining a secure environment. International Trade attorneys Antonia Tzinova and Libby Bloxom join Ms. O'Casey for an episode that'...

In the sixth episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey discusses change condition packages (CCPs) with International Trade attorney Marina O’Brien . They examine the preparation and submission of a CCP, covering essential documents and information cleared companies must submit to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) or any other Cogni...

Tune in for an in-depth exploration of SF-328 and its far-reaching implications for foreign ownership, control and influence (FOCI) within organizations in the fifth episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances." In our latest episode, host Molly O'Casey delves into the intricacies of the SF-328, a critical 10-question survey that serves as a linchpin in the field of FOCI mitigat...

In the fourth episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey explores the topic of corporate documents in relation to security clearances with International Trade attorney Libby Bloxom . They share valuable insights on selecting the appropriate corporate structure for facility security clearance (FCL) applications as well as explain how different corporate stru...

In the latest episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey engages in an insightful conversation with Antonia Tzinova , leader of Holland & Knight's CFIUS and Industrial Security Team. This informative episode provides a comprehensive guide to key management personnel (KMPs) within the context of security clearances. Ms. Tzinova delves into the critical r...

In the second episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey delves into personnel security clearances (PCLs) with National Security, Defense, and Intelligence attorneys Andrew McAllister and Jacob Marco . They discuss the process of obtaining a clearance and its role in safeguarding classified information. The attorneys also explore important guidelines to fol...

In the inaugural episode of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey sits down with Government Contracts attorney Erin Estevez . They provide a basic introduction to facility security clearances (FCLs), explaining what they are, why they matter for contractors and how the process of obtaining one works. Ms. Estevez discusses key requirements like establishing a need...