Here is a draft letter you can use to request approval from management to attend the 51st Annual
NCMS Seminar.
Subject: Request for Training Authorization
Dear [Name of your manager/decision maker]
I would like to request your approval to attend the NCMS 2016 Seminar, scheduled for June 6th 9th, 2016, in Nashville, TN. The seminar will offer three full days of educational and training
opportunities from top officials and subject matter experts from both government and industry at
what is probably the best forum available to government and contractor security professionals to
keep abreast of changing requirements and best practices. Additional security training events will
be offered the day prior to and following the seminar that I also would have the ability to attend.
The security education and training that I will receive at this conference will directly benefit our
security program.
NCMS was founded in 1964 by a group of government and industry security classification
managers and administrators who recognized the importance of establishing a society, national in
scope, to advance the practice of Classification Management as a profession. Since the National
Industrial Security Program (NISP) is subject to frequent change, and failure to comply with
changing regulations can result in costly security breaches that could result in the loss of our
customers’ information as well as company proprietary data, my attendance at the NCMS
National Seminar is key to my ability to keep our security program current.
Today, the Society has more than 7,000 members in the United States and overseas including
representatives from NATO countries. Within the U.S., members come from the Department of
Energy, Department of Defense, Department of State, National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, General
Accounting Office--virtually every federal agency that deals with classification--and from the
civilian contractors who work with these agencies. As the Society has grown over the years, its
focus has also expanded. NCMS now provides professional development for its members in the
field of classification management, information security, personnel security, computer security,
operations security (OPSEC), facility security, and technology security.
Below are brief highlights of the unique learning opportunities available at the NCMS 2016
National Seminar.
1) A focused, interactive program that addresses topical security issues, i.e. insider threats,
economic espionage, classified information protection, timely security clearance approval
and best practices.
2) Direct access to leading subject matter experts and top officials in various government
agencies such as DSS and OPM, along with valuable networking contacts [I/we] can call
on through the year.
3) 30+ unique skills-focused workshops that provide extended training in critical security
areas designed to protect classified information and prevent security problems before
they happen.
4) Expert speakers addressing top security threats for 2015 from espionage, terrorism,
cybercrime, mobile technologies, sensitive technology loss, insider threats, social
networking, information assurance, and more.
5) Access to JPAS and SWFT Program Management and technical support staff in an
6)
7)
8)
9)
informal setting. Conference attendees also have the opportunity to request one-on-one
assistance at our JPAS help desk staffed with subject matter experts from Government
and Industry.
Security awareness training to strengthen the weakest link in security along with effective
presentation skills and techniques that all security professionals can implement in our
employee security briefings.
Exhibitors from major government security agencies and security companies will be on
hand to share the latest security awareness products and services and providing valuable
take-home materials that can be used in our awareness program.
A CD containing all workshop briefings as well as valuable handouts that I can use as
reference material and share after the conference.
Three days of critical information and learning that can be shared with our organization
when I return to the office.
The return on investment from attending this event will be immediate and significant and can be
put to use immediately in our security program. Insights gained from this seminar can help avoid
costly security lapses in 2015 and beyond and enhance understanding of new compliance issues.
This event also provides the opportunity for me to network with government policy makers for
real-time engagement on issues that are currently affecting our security program.
Thank you for your consideration. If I send payment before May 6, 2016, I can register at the
early bird registration rate and save $100.00. Please don't hesitate to call me if you would like to
discuss or need additional clarification. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely: [your name]