News

July 14, 2025

DCSA Announces Director’s Retirement

QUANTICO, Va. – The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) announces the retirement of Director David M. Cattler, effective September 30, 2025. As Director, Cattler leads the United States Government’s premier organization of approximately 15,000 federal and contract support personnel worldwide to deliver integrated security services including vetting, industrial engagement, counterintelligence support, and security training. Under his leadership, the agency launched its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, stabilized and reimagined the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) acquisition program, and reinvigorated and strengthened across the U.S. government, Defense Industrial Base, and cleared academia. He will complete a major reorganization to position the Agency for future success in fiscal year 2026. The agency’s leadership team and workforce are strong, and together they will continue to drive DCSA’s strategy and momentum forward. The recent personal decision marks the end of a career of more than 35 years of military and civil service. A successor has not yet been named.

July 10, 2025

Deadline approaching for use of February 2024 version of Standard Forms (SF)

In May 2025, a revised version of the Standard Forms (SF) 85, 85P, 85P-S, and 86, with a date of February 2024, was made available in the National Background Investigation Services and Electronic Application for background investigations. Starting Aug. 1, 2025, DCSA will sunset and no longer accept previous versions of the SF 85, 85P, 85P-S, and

July 9, 2025

DCSA announces strategy to achieve IT integration, innovation – future-proofing the agency

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) released a 2025-2030 Information Technology (IT) Strategic Plan that guides the delivery of innovative and secure IT solutions to ensure the trustworthiness of the U.S. government workforce and cleared industry.The agency’s first IT Strategic Plan – developed through a collaborative process

June 30, 2025

DCSA Personnel Security mission reorganizes as new Personnel Vetting directorate

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.

June 23, 2025

DCSA prepares for security training URL migration

LINTHICUM, Md. - By the end of June, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) will transition the Security Training, Education, and Professionalization Portal (STEPP) and the Security Awareness Hub (SAH) platforms to new URLs under DCSA owned domains.URL changes will not impact the training needs of military members, civilians, or

June 20, 2025

CDSE: Developing tomorrow's security leaders through advanced education

LINTHICUM, Md. – The Education Division, within the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE), builds future security leaders as the premier provider of online higher education for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. government security community.As part of the Security Training (ST) Directorate, Defense Counterintelligence and

June 16, 2025

DCSA Personnel Security Specialist honored with DoD award

Each spring, during Public Service Recognition Week, the Pentagon pauses to spotlight a few extraordinary individuals whose quiet, steady dedication often goes unseen. This year, among those recognized is Dianna Wilson, a Personnel Security Specialist at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), who has been honored with the

June 12, 2025

DCSA launches survey to enhance applicant experience with electronic forms

Quantico, Va. - The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is committed to providing a seamless customer experience for all applicants navigating our electronic forms and applications. To support this commitment, DCSA launched a new survey to gather valuable feedback from applicants about their experience with their electronic

June 11, 2025

DCSA announces 2025 Donnelly Award winners

QUANTICO, Va. – The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Jack Donnelly Award for Excellence in Counterintelligence. Four facilities were selected for the award, and the winners were announced at the annual NCMS training seminar on June 11, 2025, in Kissimmee, Fla. The Excellence in

June 11, 2025

DCSA announces 2025 Cogswell Award winners

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 James S. Cogswell Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement Award. Fifteen facilities were selected for the award, and the winners were announced at the annual NCMS training seminar on June 11, 2025, in Kissimmee, Fla.