The Foreign Service Journal, June 2021

AFSA NEWS 52 JUNE 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL USAID Office of Security Briefing Foreign Service officers are familiar with Diplomatic Security and with the Regional Security Office at post. But how much do they know about USAID’s own Office of Security (SEC)? John Vorhees, director of SEC, offered an overview in an April 6 Zoom call with 75 AFSA members. In the presentation, “Ses- sion for Security,” Vorhees explained that SEC consists of four divisions, each of which has a unique mis- sion and responsibilities to support USAID. They are as follows. • The Personnel Security Division grants security clearances to USAID employ- ees based on the results of completed background investigations. • The Intelligence, Coun- terintelligence, and Informa- tion Security Division (ICI) provides a defensive coun- terintelligence capability. It supports secure develop- ment operations, informs policy and educates employ- ees to recognize, report and prevent counterintelligence threats. • The USAID Command Center (AIDCC) , which includes 24/7 email and phone monitoring, com- municates and responds to issues affecting the safety and security of USAID personnel, facilities and partners. • The International Security Program provides supplemental resources to Diplomatic Security to sup- port USAID Missions. These include operational security guidance, office building security, armored vehicles, emergency communications systems and security advice and assistance to USAID disaster response teams and to agency operations in high-threat environments. “We are an email or a phone call away. We are here to enable you to do your jobs,” Vorhees emphasized. “Call us before you need us. Reach out and ask us questions you have about security clearances, conduct or other issues.” n