NCMS was founded in 1964 by a group of government and industry security classification managers and administrators who recognized the importance of establishing a society, national in scope, to advance the practice of Classification Management as a profession.

Today, the Society has nearly 3,000 members in the United States and overseas including representatives from NATO countries. Within the U.S., members come from the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Department of State, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, General Accounting Office--virtually every Federal agency that deals with classification--and from the civilian contractors who work with these agencies. As the Society has grown over the years, its focus has also expanded. NCMS now provides professional development for its members in the field of classification management, information security, personnel security, computer security, operations security (OPSEC), facility security, and technology security.

In 2001, the 38th Board of Directors refined the Society's purpose and scope to better reflect the goals and objectives of the organization, as well as the changing role of the security professional. The new purpose and scope reads as follows:

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Section 1 - Purpose
The purpose of the Society is to advance the practice of classification 
management in the disciplines of industrial security, information 
security, government designated unclassified information, and 
intellectual property and to foster the highest qualities of security 
professionalism among its Members. 

Section 2 - Scope
The Society shall
(a) Develop and promote education and training of members in the 
application of requirements of industrial security in support of the 
security of the United States and its allies as described in the 
National Industrial Security Program.

(b) Develop and promote education and training of members in the 
application of classification management principles, practices, 
procedures, and techniques in protecting government designated 
unclassified information and intellectual property in all forms.

(c) Advance the professionalism of Members through a formal 
certification program recognized by government and industry.

(d) Advance its purpose by representation and participation 
on U.S. government and professional security councils, committees, 
boards and forums and through formal comment, proposal, petition, 
and coordination.

In 2005, the 41st Board of Directors decided to adopt a new brand for the Society to better reflect the focus of the 
organization and its members.  Therefore, in March 2005, NCMS became NCMS, Inc. -- the Society of Industrial Security 
Professionals.  Although the "NCMS" is no longer spelled out, it was kept to honor the history of the organization and 
because of name recognition.  Thus, "NCMS" honors our history and represents the "old", while the byline, "the Society 
of Industrial Security Professionals", represents the "new".

Locally, nationally, and internationally, the Society offers courses, seminars,and workshops for professional development in the management of both classified and unclassified/sensitive information. Other benefits of membership include:

• interaction with and support from other professionals;
• demonstrated and certified education as a basis for promotions and salary increases;
• access to resources on both the local and national levels for answers to questions and for advice when problems occur;
• association with audit personnel on a professional, non-adversarial basis;
• interaction with people at the policy making level at both local functions and national seminars;
• cross-pollination of ideas and programs between government and industry and between government agencies.

The Society is repeatedly called upon to provide input to deliberations of Congressional committees and Executive Branch panels and commissions, to comment on proposed policy and procedural changes, and to assist in the development of the regulatory documents and standards.

NCMS has been called upon to lend the expertise and experience of its members to studies such as the Stilwell Report, the Senate bill to amend the National Security Act of 1947, Presidential Directives such as Executive Orders 12356, 12958, and 12968, changes to the Industrial Security Manual, and participation on the National Industrial Security Program (NISP).

The Society is governed by a Board of Directors nominated and elected by the membership. The Board meets four times during the year to conduct regular Society business. Each director is elected to a three-year term of office; the Executive Officers are elected from among the members of the Board and serve as officers of the Board for one year.

Standing committees are in place, with oversight responsibility assigned to members of the Board, to provide structure and direction for Society activities throughout the year. Additional committees are formed as needed to establish uniform standards and promote specific goals of the Society. Committees may be established to study unique security disciplines and act in an advisory capacity to the Board.

The NCMS Board and NCMS Chapter Chairpersons meet jointly twice per year to ensure a continual dialogue is maintained regarding regionally-specific issues related to both the Society and the profession. The Board of Directors formally reports to the membership at the annual NCMS Training Seminar.

For a complete list of Board members, Click Here

The NCMS annual meeting and training seminar is the Society's most important event of the year. During the seminar, the Society is host to the prestigious Defense Security Service James S. Cogswell Awards and the NCMS' own Donald B. Woodbridge Award of Excellence.

The Seminars provide a forum for discussion of national issues presented by prominent guest speakers. Security education and training workshops are available to the attendees and are provided by experts in a variety of diverse security related fields. The NCMS National Training Seminar is an open forum for new ideas and the exchange of information.

A variety of security topics are also addressed at the local NCMS chapter meetings. Opportunities for education and training are created and developed by chapter members and made available to all local security professionals through mini-seminars and workshops.

NCMS keeps the membership audience informed through the CM BULLETIN, which is published six times per year. The CM BULLETIN contains NCMS committee news, contributions from government agencies and the NCMS membership, and topical information of general interest to the Society. An Annual Membership Directory, which includes an index of companies represented among the membership, is also distributed to members.

The Society also produces and publishes a myriad of education and training materials. The production and publication of NCMS education and training materials is continual. If you are a member, you can visit the Resource Library for a broad list of publications and articles, both from NCMS and various government and industry sources.

NCMS accepts paid advertisements in the CM Bulletin. To get rates and an advertising form, click on the links below:

Dues for membership in the NCMS are $90.00 per calendar year. New members to the Society are also assessed a one-time processing fee of $30.00 during the first year of membership.

Regular members must be United States citizens sponsored by a member in good standing of the Society.
Qualification for membership includes:

• Employment in a United States industry, United States Government (including military services), or academe involving responsibility for classification management, information security, technology security, personnel security, or computer security.
• Non U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens working for or representing a foreign government must be employed in or by a country or facility with which the U.S. has a reciprocal security agreement and/or has a facility clearance granted or recognized by the United States.

Membership dues for all members living outside the continental United States is $105.00 per calendar year.