Review of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Physical Security Waivers and Exceptions Processes

Date Issued

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of State OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of State OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of State

Components

Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Report Number

ISP-I-24-19

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 3 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should modify the waivers and exceptions tracker to provide more granular data to assess compliance with established process timelines and to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the waivers and exceptions processes.
2	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should implement internal controls to verify whether all aspects of each mitigation plan are fully implemented, as required by the approved waivers and exceptions packages.
3	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should update and implement its guidance related to facilities that do not meet Overseas Security Policy Board standards to clearly delineate when exceptions to physical security standards are required and when they are not and ensure that the guidance is consistent with Overseas Security Policy Board standards.