Letter from defense counterintelligence and security agency

To request a NISP eMASS user account, cleared Industry must complete the following:

1. DISA eMASS Computer Based Training (CBT)

2. Cyber Awareness Challenge (CAC) Training

3. DCSA System Authorization Access Request (SAAR) Form

4. NISP eMASS User Registration (https://nisp.emass.apps.mil)

In order to ensure successful completion of all the NISP eMASS user account prerequisites, follow the guidance in the NISP eMASS User Account Request Guide. For additional information, please contact the assigned Information Systems Security Professional (ISSP) and/or the DCSA NAO eMASS Team at .

• NISP eMASS User Account Request Guide
• Industry SAAR Instructions
• Industry SAAR Form
• Field Office Facilities

Verifying the Identity of your Investigator

DCSA Special Agents and contract Investigators carry credentials identifying them as representatives of DCSA. They will present their credentials upon introduction. Further questions related to an Agent’s/Investigator’s identity or status should be directed to DCSA  Security:

Investigator Verification Hotline at 724-794-7186

Your calls and emails will be answered between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. At all other times you can leave a message, which will be answered on the next business day.

DCSA uses a number of contractors to help support DCSA's mission, with which you may come into contact. See our list of current contractors on the next tab, which may help you feel more comfortable interacting with DCSA. Security cannot validate investigators retained by other local, state or federal agencies. We recommend that you ask that agency or investigator for further guidance. DCSA Security cannot provide you the status of your investigation or a copy of your background investigation. Those inquiries should be directed to the DCSA FOIPA Office, https://www.dcsa.mil/contact/foia/bir/.

How Investigators May Interact with You

Investigators doing personnel security or suitability background investigations are authorized to call, email and text you in order to facilitate interviews or gather additional pieces of information after the initial interview. Additionally, investigators are authorized to conduct telephonic interviews in accordance with DCSA policy. We are aware that verifying the authenticity of an email or online scheduling tool can be alarming, so please check out our email and online tool verification page to help you feel more comfortable with this process. Again, if you are concerned about the identity of the person contacting you, please call the Investigator Verification Hotline at 724-794-7186 or send an email to: 

Verify the Authenticity of an Email Request for an Interview or Information

DCSA uses a number of contractors to help support DCSA's mission. As of November 2018, listed below are the contractors that you many come into contact with in the process of an employment background investigation. Please also note that these contractors may subcontract, however, those subcontractors are supposed to also identify themselves with the main contractor that has the contracting relationship with DCSA. A number of these contractors use email and online scheduling tools to help facilitate the investigations process.

• CACI
• Paragon
• Peraton

If you are still unsure of the individual contacting you on behalf of DCSA, please call the Investigator Verification Hotline at 724-794-7186 or email::  to verify the identity of our field staff.

Concerns about DCSA Investigators

If you have a concern or want to report an issue with a Special Agent or Investigator that contacted you about your or someone else's investigation, you may report that complaint to the DCSA Office of Inspector General Hotline at:  

1-855-865-1508
Or

About Us

DCSA is the security agency in the federal government dedicated to protecting America’s trusted workforce and trusted workspaces — real or virtual. DCSA joins two essential missions: Personnel Vetting and Critical Technology Protection, supported by Counterintelligence and Training, Education and Certification functions. DCSA services over 100 federal entities, oversees 10,000 cleared companies, and conducts approximately 2 million background investigations each year.

Personnel Vetting: DCSA’s Personnel Vetting mission delivers efficient and effective background investigations, continuous vetting, and adjudications to safeguard the integrity and trustworthiness of the federal and contractor workforce. DCSA conducts background investigations for 95% of the federal government, including 105 departments and agencies. Additionally, DCSA adjudicates 70% of the federal government’s adjudicative determinations.

Critical Technology Protection: DCSA provides oversight to approximately 10,000 cleared companies under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), ensuring that the sensitive and classified U.S. government information they are entrusted with and the critical technologies they develop are properly protected. DCSA ensures that companies are adequately protecting their facilities, personnel, and associated IT systems from attacks and vulnerabilities.

Counterintelligence: Counterintelligence crosscuts both the Personnel Vetting and Critical Technology Protection missions to identify and stop attempts by our nation’s adversaries — foreign and domestic — to steal sensitive national security information and technologies, keeping U.S. government leaders and stakeholders informed of these threats.

Training, Education and Certification: DCSA is comprised of nationally accredited training centers that provide security training, education, and certification products and services for security professionals across the federal government and industry.

Is the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency real?

What does Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency do?

What is a DCSA background investigation?

What must be reported to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency?