TSS Certification Process | TSB 2000 (Technical) Standard ^TM

To achieve a meaningful and industry recognized certification standard, it is essential to fully understand that mandatory (initial) certification training is simply one important element necessary with any formal certification process.

In addition to the initial certification training, on-going continuing education and professional development are needed to maintain the achieved professional skills.

Logging real world (qualifying) on-the-job experience and meeting formal annual recertification requirements are necessary to maintain professional level certification credentials.

Professional Development TSCM Group Inc., brings 35 years of professional experience to a modern classroom environment.

TSCM Certification Program (TSS)

Participants must complete the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Level (120 hour) 14-day resident TSS Certification program, and have achieved an overall grade of 90 (%) percent.

The initial TSS certification training is considered to be the starting point for the TSS designate certification process.

The TSS certification process takes into account participants previous real-world experience and validated training along with the completion of the TSS certification program to determine the initial certification level achieved.

PDTG Inc., strongly believes that all training is beneficial and encourages participation in all training opportunities.

TSCM Master Program (MTSS)

Our TSS Master Level Program (prerequisites apply) consists of 100 hours (10 days) at our resident Training Centre (RTC) and has been developed specifically for seasoned professionals with extensive (logged) experience as a TSB certified Technical Security Specialist (TSS).

Participants must meet the TSB (TSS) Level I requirements, and have logged in excess of the 5000 hours of direct operational experience.

Practical Experience

Professional Development TSCM Group Inc., has developed an extensive, experienced based, industry training standard that is designed to ensure that Technical Security (TSEC) inspections are conducted in accordance with the specific threat level identified and consistent with the proprietary TSB TSCM Operational Standard – Policy and Procedure Guideline (OS-PPG) ^TM and the TSB 2000 (Technical) Standard ^TM.

Our TSS designate certification program is open to industry personnel with perhaps little or no working experience or formal training, as well as those considered to be highly experienced with years of experience and considerable training, and therefore demands flexibility at various appropriate levels for individual participants.

The TSB 2000 (Technical) Standard ^TM addresses this requirement with certification at (5) different operational threat levels, within the actual standard, combined with actual logged field inspection hours to reach the next level of TSS certification.

Depending on the actual amount of TSCM work that a TSS designate conducts, the quicker he / she will progress to the next certification level.

All participants must complete a minimum of 250 hours of hands-on practical experience in an observer capacity prior to conducting (Level V) Technical Security (TSEC) inspections.

TSB (Level V) status is considered the initial training status assigned those participants who are working to meet the operational status of the TSS certification standard, and have little or no previous experience, or training, for advance standing at a higher initial certification level.

TSB (Level V) - Technical Security Assistant (TSA)

All TSS designates must have completed the (14-Day) Technical Security Specialist (TSS) resident training program, or seek TSB approval for advanced certification standing based on previous experience.

TSS designates who have not reached the required minimum of 250 hours of hands-on experience and / or any other TSS designate certification process requirements, must work under the direct supervision of a (Level III) or higher TSS designate, until such time as the required number of hours are achieved.

Each certification designate must acquire an additional 250 hours of actual working field experience, which is the minimum required to progress to the TSB (Level IV) operational (certification) status.

TSB (Level IV) - Technical Security Specialist (TSS)

TSS designates must have completed and logged a minimum of 500 hours of hands-on practical experience in an observer / Technical Security Assistant (TSA) capacity prior to conducting (Level IV) Technical Security (TSEC) inspections.

An additional 500 hours (minimum) is required to progress to the TSB (Level III) certification status.

TSB (Level III) - Technical Security Specialist (TSS)

TSS designates must have completed and logged a minimum of 1000 hours of hands-on practical experience in a Technical Security Specialist (TSS) capacity prior to conducting (Level III) Technical Security (TSEC) inspections.

An additional 1500 hours (minimum) is required to progress to the TSB (Level II) certification status.

TSB (Level II) - Technical Security Specialist (TSS)

TSS designates must have completed and logged a minimum of 2500 hours of hands-on practical experience in a Technical Security Specialist (TSS) capacity prior to conducting (Level II) Technical Security (TSEC) inspections.

An additional 2500 hours (minimum) is required to progress to the TSB (Level I) certification status.

TSB (Level I) - Technical Security Specialist (TSS)

TSS designates (Level I) must have completed and logged a minimum of 5000 hours of hands-on practical experience in a Technical Security Specialist (TSS) capacity prior to conducting (Level I) Technical Security (TSEC) inspections.

An additional 5000 hours (minimum) is required to achieve the lifetime Technical Security Branch (TSB) Master Technical Security Specialist (MTSS) designation.

Master Technical Security Specialist (MTSS)

TSS designates (Master Level) must have completed the TSB (10-Day) MTSS resident training program (or TSB approved advanced standing) and logged a minimum of 10,000 hours of hands-on practical experience in a Technical Security Specialist (TSS) capacity.

Certification Authority

Although training and experience gained from a wide variety of TSB approved sources is required for both initial certification and annual recertification, the TSB is the only responsible TSA, TSS, and MTSS certification authority for those seeking TSS designate certification, and the authorization to utilize the Technical Security Specialist (TSS) designation.

TSB Certification Examination

All participants must complete a formal certification examination regardless of meeting any other qualification of the TSB 2000 (Technical) Standard ^TM.

Participants are assigned a specific initial threat level designation based on background, training, experience, and ultimately the TSS certification examination results.

Other individual participant factors will also be taken into consideration.

Written Element

The written element of the TSS certification examination consists of 100 (or more) questions and problem solving exercises, utilizing a variety of question formats and styles.

The final examination may not be attempted until the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced elements of the TSS Certification program have been successfully completed.

Our examination utilizes an advanced take home format that is completed by the participant upon completion of the 14-Day TSS designate certification program.

Our unique proprietary examination delivery method allows for considerable additional learning to occur immediately after attending the resident based certification program, and requires each participant to research and review various aspects of the material presented and studied, during the actual classroom potion of training, maximizing the overall learning experience.

This unique training format reinforces program material that is often lost when a student is forced to complete an examination, within the classroom environment, immediately after completing an extensive and rather complex technically oriented training program.

A participant may pass the examination at this point from memory, but will quickly forget the studied material.

Our take home examination format requires significant applied study of the course materials, and independent research, to successfully complete the final certification examination process, providing yet another learning experience.

Practical Element

The practical element of the TSS certification examination consists of approximately three (3) hours of hands-on demonstration, and oral examination by a qualified and approved TSB instructor during the final week of training.

The practical element consists of TSCM equipment familiarization, operation, and the application of real world problem solving scenarios.

Each participant must demonstrate the ability to recognize and analyze, test and measurement results, for RF and other TSCM related functions.

Professional Associations & Working Groups

The opportunity for active membership in various professional organizations and research based working groups, is in keeping with the TSB “Statement of Intent”, and is strongly encouraged.

TSS certification designates are encouraged to seek membership in professional organizations that enhance the aims, goals, and objectives of the TSB 2000 (Technical) Standard.

Professional Development and Continuing Education

Professional development is the process of a career long, on-going learning commitment.

Knowledge and skills development is an integral and important element that industry professionals must embrace to achieve true professional standing in a complex, and constantly changing threat environment.

TSS designates must complete at least 40 hours of approved continuing education material annually to maintain the TSS certification standard.

Membership in the Canadian Technical Security Professional Association (CTSPA) ^TM and participation in the Canadian Technical Security Conference (CTSC) ^TM provide an excellent opportunity to easily meet this requirement.

Our Annual Certification Review (ACR) ^TM process consists of 3-full days (24 credit hours), and the remaining (16 credit hours) is achievable by attending the annual Canadian Technical Security Conference (CTSC).

Other (industry related) professional development training will also be considered as credit toward the 40 hour mandatory requirement.

Annual Certification Review (ACR)

The TSS Annual Certification Review (ACR) ^TM involves three (3) full days of recurrent professional development training conducted at our Resident Training Centre (RTC).

TSS designates are required to submit logged actual field experience and training related documentation as required under the TSCM Operational Standard - Policy and Procedure Guideline (OS-PPG) ^TM on an annual basis, to verify compliance with the TSB 2000 (Technical) Standard ^TM training and experience requirements.

Any changes in operational threat level status will be reflected during the Annual Certification Review (ACR) ^TM process.