Ministry Of Defence
Overview
The Industry Security Assurance Centre is responsible for providing relevant defence contractors with up-to-date security and business continuity policy and guidance.
We provide specialist and relevant advice to reduce security and business continuity risks and amplify Ministry of Defence (MOD) and government security policy requirements. These security services are provided to DE&S and the defence industry. This includes the provision of visit and visitor clearances through the International Visits Control Office (IVCO).
Contact us
For routine security enquiries please contact the Industry Security Assurance centre: ISAC-Group@mod.gov.uk
Industry Security Assurance Centre responsibilities
We are responsible for:
- assisting UK companies in obtaining Facility Security Clearance (FSC) and/or Industry Personnel Security Assurance (IPSA) status when contractually required to hold classified material at SECRET (Foreign CONFIDENTIAL) or above
- helping UK companies to verify the security status of foreign facilities and citizens through liaison with national security authorities
- approving the hand carriage of classified material being taken overseas by casual courier
- approving some transportation plans relating to the movement of physical, classified assets travelling overseas
- sponsoring personnel security clearances for primary security controllers and their deputy at an FSC facility and IPSA personnel security controllers and their deputy, if required.
The ISAC Vault
The ISAC Vault is the website we use to share security advice and policy between DE&S and FSC and IPSA facilities. The available documentation is to promote effective security governance.
National security vetting and government contracting
Access more information on security vetting and clearance
Security awareness
Understanding UK threat levels
The threat of international terrorism comes from a diverse range of sources and a threat could manifest itself from a lone individual or group. The terrorist threat can take a number of forms, as terrorists may use a variety of methods of attack to achieve their objectives.
While the UK has faced a variety of terrorist threats in the past, a unique combination of factors place the current threat on a scale not previously encountered.
The terrorists draw their inspiration from a global message articulated by internationally recognisable figures.
The threat from terrorism when overseas
Information on threats to personal safety arising from terrorist activities, political unrest, lawlessness, violence, natural disasters, epidemics, anti-British demonstrations and aircraft/shipping safety. It is designed to help you make informed decisions about whether or not to travel to a particular country.
The threat of espionage
The UK is a high priority espionage target and a number of countries are actively seeking UK information and material to advance their own military, technological, political and economic programmes.
The International Visits Control Office
The responsibilities of the International Visits Control Office (IVCO):
- to process visit requests for foreign nationals who are required to visit MOD, Royal Navy, or Facility Security Clearance (FSC) sites in the UK
- to process visit requests for security cleared FSC Contractors seeking to visit overseas Government, Military and Contractor sites
- to process all requests for security cleared UK Nationals wishing to visit either NATO HQ or a NATO Agency
- to advise UK Defence Industry, MOD UK, and overseas Governments on the International Visits Control process
Please note: IVCO are not responsible for processing Military/Government Personnel visiting to Military/Government Establishment however there are exception sites, and your point of contact will advise you if a submission is required.
IVCO Contact information
E-mail: DESPSyA-IVCO@mod.gov.uk
Tel: +4430 015 98813
Opening times: 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday
Please note we will be unable to deal with requests or queries outside these hours. Calls to IVCO should only be made within the times specified above.
Types of Visits
There are several types of visits that IVCO can process. The type of visit required can be selected on the appropriate form.
One-time
- valid for up to 3 years (inwards only) 1 year (outwards)
- valid only for the site(s) and subject specified at the outset
- maximum 100 visitors per visit request
Recurring
- covers a period of up to 12 months
- no limit to the number of visits within the 12 months
- valid only for the site(s) and subject specified at the outset
Emergency
- a visit that has not met IVCOs required lead times
- only valid for a 30-day period
- only accepted in exceptional circumstances-must be supported by a written justification letter from the host site and the following is the requirement for the letter of justification, headed on host company paper, reason for the late RFV submission, importance of attendance of visitors and the reason visit cannot be arranged
Amendments
- enables visitors to be added to an extant visit (up to 100 visitors per amendment: a maximum of 10 amendments per visit)
- enables the end date to be extended (must not exceed the date limit of the original visit type. e.g., an extension to a recurring visit cannot exceed 12 months)
- additional sites cannot be added as an amendment to an RFV
- dates cannot be amended to bring start date of visit forward
International Agreements
- multinational Industrial Security Working Group (MISWG) / NATO
- visits to member states that do not exceed 21 days in duration and/or OFFICIAL SENSITIVE in classification can be arranged directly between site security establishments without prior IVCO approval.
European Defence Industry Restructuring (EDIR) Framework Agreement (Also Known as the LOI)
- visits up to OFFICIAL SENSITIVE can be arranged directly between facilities.
- visits can proceed up to Secret on agreed shareable projects ONLY (Project teams to advise)
- LOI /EDIR should be completed and sent directly to the security controller at the host site
- if the visit exceeds 21 days (regardless of classification) a copy of the completed LOI /EDIR needs to be submitted to IVCO for retention ONLY IVCO approval is not required
Please see below list for MISWG members:
- Albania
- Canada
- Finland
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Slovenia
- UK
- Australia
- Croatia
- France
- Italy
- Montenegro
- Poland
- Spain
- USA
- Austria
- Czech Rep
- Germany
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Greece
- Latvia
- New Zealand
- Romania
- Switzerland
- Bulgaria
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Lithuania
- North Macedonia
- Slovakia
- Turkey
Outward visits
- any UK Defence and Industry personnel travelling overseas to access or discuss classified material (including information or sensitive areas), who are visiting any industry with FSC, or Military/Government must submit an eRFV