Validate Your Security Expertise. The General Security Role-Based Certification (RBC) centers around the DOD Security Specialist Course (DOD SSC), a program specifically structured to confirm your real-world capabilities. Rather than simply reviewing concepts, this curriculum immerses you in the essential practices required for daily DOD security operations. It bridges the gap between industrial, information, personnel, and physical security, highlighting how these critical disciplines intersect and support one another. By navigating hands-on, scenario-driven challenges and applying proven risk management strategies, you will demonstrate your proficiency and earn official verification that you are fully equipped for your vital security role.

DOD Security Specialist Roles and Responsibilities: Security Specialists are responsible for implementing and maintaining comprehensive security programs that safeguard personnel, information, facilities, and industry partners. This role aligns with multiple security disciplines and focuses on the holistic protection of national security information and assets. Typically classified under occupational series 0080 (Security Administration), this individual ensures the proper handling, safeguarding, and risk mitigation across all security pillars. This RBC is appropriate for Security Managers and Specialists who oversee security programs. It provides the essential knowledge to develop the skillset to effectively manage the full spectrum of integrated security responsibilities.
 

Outcome: Learners will be equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to apply effective solutions to real-world security issues across multiple security disciplines. 

General Security Certification Requirements 
To earn the General Security RBC, you must successfully complete the following four phases in order:   
 
Phase 1:  Complete Prerequisite eLearning Courses 
Before you can enroll in the main certification course, you must first complete and pass the following self-paced eLearning courses.

• Developing a Security Education & Training Program (GS104.06)
• Special Access Programs (SAP) Overview (SA001.06)
• OPSEC Awareness for Military Members, DOD Employees and Contractors Course (GS130.16)
• Introduction to Risk Management Course (GS150.06)
• Introduction to Risk Management Framework (RMF) (CS124.06)
• Introduction to Industrial Security (IS011.06)
• Introduction to National Security for National Security Practitioners Course and Exam (PS113.16)
• Prerequisite: Introduction to Federal Personnel Vetting Policy for Security Practitioners Course and Exam (PS128.16)
• Introduction to Information Security (IF011.06)
• Original Classification (IF102.06)
• Derivative Classification (IF103.06)
• Marking Special Categories of Classified Information (IF105.06)
• Transmission and Transportation for DOD (IF107.06)
• Introduction to Physical Security (PY011.06)
• Storage Containers and Facilities (PY105.06)
• Physical Security Planning and Implementation (PY106.06)
• Physical Security Measures (PY103.06)
• Lock and Key Systems (PY104.06) 

Phase 2: Attend the DOD Security Specialist Course
After completing all prerequisites, you must enroll in and attend the DOD Security Specialist Course. This course is offered in two distinct formats to accommodate your schedule and learning preferences: the Instructor-led (GS101.01) in-person course or the Virtual Instructor-led (GS101.10) course. You should be aware of the following key details about the courses.

Certification Requirements

• Flexible Learning Options: Choose between a 7-day full-time, in-person learning environment (GS101.01) or a 40-hour, four-week virtual format (GS101.10) that is primarily asynchronous, allowing you to complete lessons on your own schedule.
• Instructor Support: Instructors are available to answer your questions and provide direct feedback. In the virtual format, they can facilitate your learning on lesson assignments and provide one-on-one working sessions as needed.
• Course Requirements & Expectations: You will be required to review all briefings and materials and submit all graded activities. These activities are designed to build critical thinking and require you to analyze regulatory guidance and apply key concepts to practical scenarios across industrial, personnel, information, and physical security. Graded activities include:
  • Lesson assignments and Practical exercises
  • Quizzes and exams
  • Discussion forums (VILT format)
• Time Commitment: For the in-person course, expect 7 days of full-time attendance. For the virtual course (VILT), you should plan to commit approximately 10 hours per week over the 4-week period.
• Recommendation for Success: Depending on your experience and the format chosen, it may be beneficial to arrange for a dedicated training status to allocate the necessary time to the coursework.

Mobile Training Delivery
The General Security team also offers the DOD Security Specialist Course (DOD SSC) as a mobile instructor-led training event. Organizations interested in hosting must provide an unclassified training space, accessible without escort requirements or personal electronic device restrictions. The facility must accommodate a minimum of 30 students in collaborative group seating and permit the daily entry and exit of CDSE-provided student laptops. Furthermore, hosts are required to supply commercial Wi-Fi or LAN internet access, an instructor audio system with a microphone, and a presentation podium capable of a direct hardware connection to a CDSE laptop. Please contact us for more information and/or to be added to the prospective host list.
 

Phase 3: Successfully Complete the Course  
To pass the DOD Security Specialist Course, you must earn a cumulative average of 80% or higher on all graded coursework. This includes all practical exercises, quizzes, and exams.

Phase 4: Pass the Final Certification Exam  After successfully completing either version of the DOD Security Specialist course (GS101.01 or GS101.10), you will be eligible to take the final certification exam. You must pass this exam to earn the General Security Certification.

To understand the specific responsibilities of a DOD Security Specialist and grasp what effective implementation looks like in practice, review the chart below. Each section details the duties and responsibilities covered in the certification.