The Foreign Service Journal, March 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2015 13 Last year the GAO, Congress’ watch- dog, undertook a comprehensive and balanced review of State’s diplomatic security policy and procedures. The findings were published on June 25: “Diplomatic Security: Overseas Facilities May Face Greater Risks Due to Gaps in Security-Related Activities, Standards and Policies.” For the full report and recommendation status, go to www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-655. GAO found, among other shortcom- ings, that State has not fully developed and implemented a risk management policy for overseas facilities. Further, State’s risk management activities do not operate as a continu- ous process or continually incorporate new information. For example, in some instances updating standards took more than eight years. The report’s thirteenth recommen- dation dealt with this shortcoming by requiring the development of a risk management policy and procedures that include identification of the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders. Futher, the policy and procedures are to be continually updated. This recommendation has far-reach- ing implications in that its implementa- tion could also provide a cornerstone for the diplomatic security training programs being offered by the Foreign Service Institute. Isn’t it time that the State Department moved more swiftly to address these findings and recommendations before another six-month period passes? Move- ment on the recommendations would surely help with AFSA’s congressional relations. James (Jim) Meenan FSO, retired Fairfax, Va. n