SES Space and Defense accepted the Defense Security Services (DSS) James S. Cogswell Award during a ceremony today in Nashville, Tennessee. The DSS Cogswell Award is awarded for O
utstanding Industrial Security Achievement and is the most prestigious honor the DSS awards to cleared industry teams. Of the more than 13,300 cleared contractors, less than one percent are annually selected to receive this award.

“One of our top priorities at SES Space and Defense is to meet mission-critical deliverables through satellite products and services, while also safeguarding the customers’ information,” said Pete Hoene, President and CEO of SES Space and Defense.

According to the DSS, the Cogswell Award:

“…was established in 1966 and is named in honor of the late Air Force Col. James S. Cogswell, who was the first chief of the unified office of Industrial Security. Col. Cogswell is responsible for the underlying principle of the Industrial Security Program. That principle is the need for a true partnership between industry and government to ensure the protection of classified information, materials, and programs. The Cogswell award is the most prestigious honor the Defense Security Service may bestow to cleared industry. Of the more than 13,300 cleared contractors, less then one percent are annually selected to receive this award.”

To receive consideration for the Cogswell award, a facility organization must show a sustained degree of excellence and innovation in their overall security program management, implementation and oversight. Once initially nominated, the nominees then go through a vigorous national vetting process.

The award criteria focus on principles of industrial security excellence. Factors include: 1) establishing and maintaining a security program that far exceeds the basic National Industrial Security Program requirements; 2) providing leadership to other cleared facilities; and 3) establishing best practices while maintaining the highest standards for security.