QUANTICO, Va. – Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Director David M. Cattler approved the reorganization of DCSA’s Personnel Security directorate into the new Personnel Vetting directorate with a focus on effective and efficient delivery of the end-to-end personnel vetting mission for the U.S. government.
 
This newly aligned directorate and updated organizational structure are effective immediately and reflect a change in how the agency operates to better meet customers’ needs. The realignment provided an opportunity to incorporate continuous process improvement activities and recommendations on how to manage manpower reductions and workforce shaping activities. The agency anticipates additional internal realignments and structural changes in support of Defense Department and government reform efforts.
 
“By focusing on our key capabilities and optimizing our processes, we can drive efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement across the agency,” said Cattler. “The implementation of this important transformation not only strengthens DCSA's security posture but also enhances public trust in the agency's ability to protect the nation's sensitive information and assets.”
 
Personnel Vetting, as envisioned by Trusted Workforce 2.0, goes beyond the traditional scope of Personnel Security, incorporating a comprehensive and ongoing evaluation of an individual's suitability for access to sensitive information. The organization’s new capabilities-based structure is enabled by four key capabilities:
 

• Data Collection & Analysis Capability sources, triages and assembles all data received from customers to create a preliminary risk profile.
• Risk Analysis & Information Development Capability conducts an initial review of the preliminary risk profile and sources additional information, as needed, to compile and prepare a comprehensive investigative product for further evaluation.
• Trust Decision Capability analyzes the investigative product and provides a final determination on an individual’s employment and clearance eligibility based on their trustworthiness to access sensitive information.
• Operations Management & Control Capability provides supporting services, including customer support and quality control, to the Data Collection & Analysis, Risk Analysis & Information Development and Trust Decision capabilities.

 
The new capability-based framework also better aligns to DCSA’s core value streams and enables the agency to continue delivering cost-effective, high-quality products and services while improving customer experience.  This customer-service focus includes using additional tools and feedback channels to understand customer sentiment and stakeholder needs, thus resulting in increased engagement and more timely responses from DCSA.
 
“This is not just a change in process, but a transformation in mindset – one that prioritizes proactive protection and adaptability in the face of evolving challenges,” said Cattler. “Over the past year, we have postured ourselves to a be a more responsive service provider and operate like a business and that’s how we approached this reorganization – SAFe Agile Framework principles, industry best practices and a customer-focused approach to name a few.”
 
The new organization is led by Mark Sherwin as the Assistant Director for Personnel Vetting, supported by mission leaders Laura Eury, Deputy Assistant Director of Data Collection and Analytics; Marianna Martineau, Deputy Assistant Director of Operations Management and Control; Chakeia Ragin, acting Deputy Assistant Director for Trust Decision; and James Cratty, acting Deputy Assistant Director for Risk Analysis and Information Development.
 
“These leaders are the right people, in the right roles, at the right time,” said Cattler. “I’m confident this leadership structure will enable PV to gain efficiency, reduce redundancy, and improve operational performance in support of effective business strategies while adhering to the administration’s guidance.  DCSA’s commitment to delivering quality, timely, and cost-effective products reinforces our commitment to our customers and our critical role in national security.”
 
Moving forward with additional consolidations and appointments, DCSA will take a structured and focused approach to the reorganization and spend the necessary time shifting assets into the new structure to ensure the realigned workforce is positioned to meet the current mission requirements while also preparing for future challenges. Throughout the reorganization DCSA will continue to pursue the strategic imperative of fully integrating the Agency.
 
“We will execute this complex transition deliberately, minimizing any negative impacts to employees, the mission, and taxpayers,” said Cattler.