Who are we?

The Federal Association of Security Officials works closely with government security organizations and the security industry to organize training seminars, workshops, and conferences, and obtain briefings in such areas as new developments and new technologies.

Our Committees
FASO committees are generally structured along the disciplines of security, such as: physical security, personnel security and EDP/COMSEC. Others deal with such concerns as training and awareness.

Training and Awareness Initiatives
In keeping with its mission, FASO members commit themselves to developing and maintaining competence, resources and awareness within the cadre of federal officials who are charged with the provision of security advice to ministers. They may therefore participate in such activities as:

• promoting, developing, assisting in, organizing, sponsoring and presenting professional development and educational opportunities for security officials;
• informing security officials of issues affecting the security of their institutions and seeking their advice and comment on these issues; or
• providing to the Treasury Board Secretariat recommendations on the qualifications, qualities and training which are considered desirable to DSOs and members of departmental security staff.

General Presentations and Programs
A training committee assesses ongoing training priorities and develops training and awareness information and more technical materials on topics of special interest. Members are solicited to determine the nature of those subjects which should be presented at meetings. Two key areas stressed by FASO are security management and administration.

Developing Policy and Standards
A FASO committee works in conjunction with central agency committees, in particular Treasury Board, the RCMP and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), to develop policy and standards within the scope of the GSP, including:

• physical security;
• information security;
• information technology security;
• personnel security; and
• security administration.

Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of FASO is comprised of a President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, four Directors and a representative from the Treasury Board Secretariat. Board Members are elected in accordance with the constitution of the Association from the members at large, at an annual meeting.

Association Meetings
Annual meetings of the Association are held at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors. Special meetings to deal with issues and concerns of members may be held at any time upon call of the Board of Directors.

Registering for Membership
Application for membership in the Association on behalf of a federal security officer can be made, in writing, to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association with the concurrence of the DSO of a federal institution.

Applications who are clearly qualified are automatically approved. All other applications are submitted to the Board of Directors for assessment as to eligibility. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary proof of eligibility for membership.

Membership fees are those fixed annually by the Board of Directors and approved at an annual meeting. The accompanying registration form should be used for applications to FASO.

Members are required to abide by the Code of Ethics, Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.

To request information on FASO and its work, please visit our contact page.