America's Gatekeeper

DCSA is the largest security agency in the federal government dedicated to protecting America's trusted workforce and trusted workspaces.

Each year, DCSA services over

  • 100+ federal entities
  • 10,000+ cleared companies
  • 2M+ background investigations
Learn More About Our Mission

NISP contractor fingerprint submissions on hold 


Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has implemented a temporary pause in fingerprint submissions to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) due to the ongoing government shutdown. Starting October 16, 2025, the Agency will temporarily halt the transmission of fingerprints...

Government shutdown update – for customers


Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) remains committed to supporting customer agencies during a government shutdown. In accordance with the 30 September 2025 guidance from the Deputy Secretary of War and the Department of War (DOW) Financial Management Regulation (FMR), Defense...

UPDATE (Nov. 3, 2025): Some industry personnel and security clearances to resume


Effective Nov. 3, 2025, DCSA will begin processing personnel security investigations and facility clearances for those contractors supporting excepted activities as detailed in Department of War (DoW) guidance. Instructions on how to identify these activities and the process DCSA will follow were...

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NISP contractor fingerprint submissions on hold  Story
Government shutdown update – for customers Story
UPDATE (Nov. 3, 2025): Some industry personnel and security clearances to resume Story
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Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has implemented a temporary pause in fingerprint submissions to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) due to the ongoing government shutdown. Starting October 16, 2025, the Agency will temporarily halt the transmission of fingerprints...

  • Oct. 17, 2025
DCSA LOGO

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) remains committed to supporting customer agencies during a government shutdown. In accordance with the 30 September 2025 guidance from the Deputy Secretary of War and the Department of War (DOW) Financial Management Regulation (FMR), Defense...

  • Oct. 8, 2025
DCSA LOGO

Effective Nov. 3, 2025, DCSA will begin processing personnel security investigations and facility clearances for those contractors supporting excepted activities as detailed in Department of War (DoW) guidance. Instructions on how to identify these activities and the process DCSA will follow were...

  • Oct. 1, 2025
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News & Publications

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NISP contractor fingerprint submissions on hold 

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has implemented a temporary pause in fingerprint submissions to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) due to the ongoing government shutdown. Starting October 16, 2025, the Agency will temporarily halt the transmission of fingerprints...

Oct. 17, 2025

DCSA LOGO

Government shutdown update – for customers

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) remains committed to supporting customer agencies during a government shutdown. In accordance with the 30 September 2025 guidance from the Deputy Secretary of War and the Department of War (DOW) Financial Management Regulation (FMR), Defense...

Oct. 8, 2025

DCSA LOGO

UPDATE (Nov. 3, 2025): Some industry personnel and security clearances to resume

Effective Nov. 3, 2025, DCSA will begin processing personnel security investigations and facility clearances for those contractors supporting excepted activities as detailed in Department of War (DoW) guidance. Instructions on how to identify these activities and the process DCSA will follow were...

Oct. 1, 2025

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Notice to Industry and Government Stakeholders

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) activities are funded both by a Working Capital Fund (WCF) and by annual appropriations.  The current funding authority for those DCSA operations funded directly by appropriated funds may lapse after Sept. 30, 2025.  With certain limited...

Oct. 1, 2025

DCSA Director David Cattler retirement celebration was held at the Fluegel Alumni Center in Annapolis, Maryland on September 24, 2025. Cattler began his career at the Annapolis Academy and retires after more than 34 years of federal service. (DOD Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Marcel D. Bassett)

“Dare Mighty Things”: DCSA Director David Cattler retires after more than 35 years of federal service

Annapolis, Md. – On Sept. 24, the U.S. Naval Academy’s Fluegel Alumni Center was filled with friends, family, and national security leaders gathered to honor a man whose career shaped the future of American security—and whose humility often kept him out of the spotlight.David M. Cattler, Director of...

Sept. 30, 2025

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