NCMS is a non-profit, professional security society offering unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and professional development at the local and national levels. For over 50 years, NCMS has provided building blocks in the development of security professionals through in-depth training, mentoring, and certification; as well as offering industry a voice at the national security policy level. In fact, no other professional association matches NCMS’ specific offerings or the return on investment for member benefits in the national security arena.
Updated June 2020
Definitions
Membership in the NCMS is a privilege and with it comes the expectation of professional and ethical behavior by all Society members. As NCMS members, we must never forget that conducting business ethically requires much more than merely complying with the laws, rules, and regulations that govern our business. Overall common sense and good judgment should rule the day in our decisions. Below are the three behavioral elements that are central to the NCMS code of ethics.
Human Element
NCMS members (individual and associate) are expected to treat others with respect and dignity at all times. We value an inclusive membership which promotes diversity of thinking and helps us reach the goals and objectives of the Society. NCMS members are committed to continuously adhering to the highest standards of ethical conduct in everything that they do as professionals. Membership should diligently refrain from engaging in unprofessional, unethical or negative conduct damaging to the Society, the membership and/or the profession, such as starting or perpetuating rumors regarding other Society members or industry professionals, making defamatory statements with respect to a Society member or other industry professional, or from knowingly or intentionally engaging in conduct in violation of local, state and federal laws and/or regulations and other compliance directives pertaining to our profession.
NCMS Element
A core principle and continuing goal of the Society is the education and development of the security professional. Members shall at all times adhere to the policies and procedures of the NCMS as set forth in the NCMS Bylaws and the NCMS Policies and Procedures Manual, both of which may be amended from time to time at the discretion of the Society. Members shall, where possible, assist fellow security professionals who are in need of skill development or tools to assist in maintaining proficiency in the appropriate security discipline. Membership must also refrain from activities or conduct that discredits, misrepresents or which is contrary to the best interests of the Society, its goals and its membership.
National Security Element
It is the continuing duty and responsibility of every NCMS member to diligently ensure the proper safeguarding of classified, sensitive, controlled unclassified, Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and proprietary information belonging to any government or company which is in the interest of national security.
Any Society member who violates any of the ethical tenets, rules and requirements contained in this Code of Ethics may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of NCMS membership and/or ISP® Certification.
Procedures
Potential Ethics Violation – No Formal Complaint
In the event that one or more members of the board is made aware of a potential ethical violation from a member, NCMS chapter, or NCMS committee without a formal complaint being filed with the Ethics Committee, the following action(s) may be taken:
- Board Member Involvement:
- If the issue is within a board member’s area of responsibility (i.e., a committee member, chapter buddy, etc.), he/she may address the issue directly with the applicable person or persons.
- The violation(s) will be identified, and specific expectations going forward will be discussed.
- Any remedy(s) that needs to be taken will be identified during the discussion.
- Member(s) will agree to cease immediately and abide by all policies and procedures in the future or risk a formal complaint being filed and an investigation by the Ethics Committee.
- Board member will include a summary of the issue in his/her quarterly board report, and the Executive Director shall file all documentation.
- Executive Committee (EC) Involvement:
- If a board member(s) feels the issue needs the board’s attention, notification will be made in writing to the EC, including the suspected violation(s), supporting documentation if applicable, and the party(s) involved.
- The EC will meet at the appropriate time as determined by the president, and decide on appropriate action.
- If the EC determines that the board should be included in the discussion, a special meeting will be held or the issue will be added to the next scheduled meeting’s agenda, to be determined by the EC.
- The resulting decision will be communicated to the responsible party(s) by the EC or the board, if they are involved.
- Member(s) will agree to cease immediately and abide by all policies and procedures in the future or risk a formal complaint being filed and an investigation by the Ethics Committee.
- A summary of this issue will be included in the quarterly Executive Committee report, and the Executive Director shall file all documentation.
Formal Complaint Filed – Ethics Investigation
- The NCMS Vice President and Executive Director receives the member’s written ethics complaint using a Complaint Form.
- The NCMS VP or Executive Director will forwad the Complaint Form and any accompanying documentation to the Ethics Committee within seven calendar days of receipt.
- The Ethics Committee logs and acknowledges the complaint to the complaining party within seven calendar days of receipt setting forth the procedures and schedule to be followed as well as requesting any additional information or supporting documentation the complaining party must provide to move forward. The due process procedures should be very clear that complaining parties must provide all documentation and information they will be relying upon and that such documentation and information, including the complaint, will be shared with the party or parties against whom the complaint is directed as well as a hearing panel and the Board of Directors in the event of an appeal if the complaint merits further attention. A demand for anonymity or the refusal to provide documents supporting claims may be grounds for refusal by NCMS to consider the complaint further. No party to an NCMS ethics complaint will be permitted to be represented by counsel in any hearing provided.
- If, after review by the Ethics Committee, the complaint merits further attention, the party or parties against whom the complaint is directed are to be notified in writing of the complaint within 14 calendar days of receipt by the Ethics Committee and provided with copies of the complaint and any supporting documentation. The party charged should be provided with 30 calendar days to respond in writing, also including any supporting documents he or she wishes to rely upon and have considered by the hearing panel and Board of Directors as part of the response.
- If, after review by the Ethics Committee, the complaint is determined not to be a violation of the NCMS Ethics Policy, the Ethics Committee chair will provide written documentation of the committee’s finding (with or without reasons) to the Executive Director, NCMS VP, and complaining party, along with suggestions for actions, if any. The written decision should be issued within 30 calendar days of the completed review/investigation.
- The complaint and response and any supporting documents are provided to the Ethics Committee. That committee can opt to consider the complaint only on the documentation submitted or request that the parties to the complaint participate in a telephone conference to support their respective positions and respond to any questions from members of the hearing body. In either case, the Ethics Committee should consider the respective positions and deliberate in person or via telephone conference to ensure maximum effectiveness in terms of shared deliberation. Within 30 calendar days of receipt of the response from the party or parties against whom the complaint has been directed, the hearing and deliberations should be conducted and completed. Upon reaching a decision, the Ethics Committee chair will provide written documentation of the committee’s finding (with or without reasons) to the Executive Director, NCMS VP and the respective parties along with any sanction(s) to be meted out. The written decision should be issued within 30 calendar days of the completed hearing and deliberations.
- Any party wishing to appeal the decision of the hearing body may do so in writing submitted to the NCMS Executive Director within 10 calendar days of his or her receipt of the hearing body’s written decision. All appeals will be heard by the NCMS Board of Directors within 30 calendar days of receipt, with any Board member having a conflict excusing him or herself from the process. The Board would be asked to consider the initial complaint and supporting documents, the response and documents submitted by the party or parties charged, and the written notes and deliberations of the hearing body. The Board would have the sole discretion to have both parties appear or present via telephone conference their respective positions and respond to questions. The Board’s finding on appeal would be final and binding upon the parties to the ethics complaint. The Board could accept or decline the sanctions imposed by the hearing panel and impose its own sanctions (or not), which would also be final and binding. The Board’s finding and any sanctions would be reported in writing to NCMS and the respective parties within 10 calendar days of the issuance of the Board’s decision.