Serving Clients with Award-Winning Security Programs

Fewer than one percent of the cleared contractors in the United States receive this award annually.

Booz Allen Hamilton’s Colorado Springs office has earned the most prestigious honor permitted to be awarded to government contractors from the Defense Security Service. Lieutenant General James R. Clapper, Jr., USAF, Ret., the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, presented the coveted Cogswell Award in ceremonies at the firm’s office in front of the assembled security services team. Less than one percent of the nearly 12,500 cleared contractors in the United States are selected to receive this award annually.

Booz Allen's Colorado Springs-based Security Staff

“It’s a rare honor to receive the Cogswell award, and it speaks volumes about the incredibly high security standards maintained by the Colorado Springs office, and by the entire firm,” says vice president Kurt Stevens, who notes that maintaining a solid security program is essential to serving clients that include the Air Force Space Command and the US Northern Command.

The Cogswell award, established in 1966, was named for late Air Force Colonel James S. Cogwell, the first chief of the united office of Industrial Security. The award criteria focus on principles of industrial security excellence. Factors include establishing and maintaining a security program that far exceeds the basic National Industrial Security Program requirements; and providing leadership to other cleared facilities in establishing best practices while maintaining the highest standards for security.

“For the past 2 years, the Colorado Springs security team has maintained a security program far exceeding the basic requirements,” says Director of Security Lee Engel, “This award recognizes that they have achieved excellence—and is a clear representation of Booz Allen’s core values.”

"Receiving the 2009 Cogswell Award validates the fact that in security, hard work and effective security programs do not go unnoticed," said Facility Security Officer Tamiko Pickering.  "Winning this award is just the tip of the iceberg for all of Booz Allen's security services teams."

story posted June 18, 2009