“Walking the Walk, not just Talking the Talk”

Members of the Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) asked to develop a program that would formalize their commitment to the mission of homeland and national security and show their tangible commitment to doing their part to enhance the safety and security of our citizens and their companies.

The GTSC Designation of Leadership Excellence is a dynamic program that seeks to validate and publicize our member companies’ participation in the overall improvement of the security of our country. Member companies that achieve the Designation of Leadership Excellence are recognized for their understanding of their responsibilities as part of the Homeland Security “supply chain” and for their use of security resources available to them to lead their companies, employees and our community.

The GTSC Designation of Leadership Excellence consists of four parts:

Participation in the American Red Cross Ready Rating Program or Ready.gov Business Continuity Suite

Preparedness is a key tenet to companies leading the preparedness, response and recovery efforts across the nation.  Companies bestowed with the GTSC Designation of Excellence have signed up for and utilized the tools, resources and information available to withstand disaster, maintain operations, and protect lives and property. Another similar rigorous program for preparedness, response and recovery efforts in the event of a natural or man-made disaster may be completed to fulfill this requirement. Information on the program is available at: www.readyrating.org or www.ready.gov

Federal Communications Commission Small Biz Cyber Planner

Cyber security is an increasingly difficult and protracted problem for the nation.  Companies of all sizes must be vigilant and do their part to work on their own cyber awareness and preparedness.  Companies with the GTSC Designation of Excellence have created a customized cyber security plan through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Small Biz Cyber Planner and have formed a culture of security to enhance their own cyber confidence in addition to that of their government customers.  Another similar rigorous program for cyber security awareness and preparedness in the event of a natural or man-made disaster may be completed to fulfill this requirement. Information about the planner is available at: www.fcc.gov/cyberforsmallbiz

Consideration of the SAFETY Act

The Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act) provides important legal liability protections for providers of Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technologies – whether they are products or services.  The goal of the SAFETY Act is to encourage the development and deployment of new and innovative anti-terrorism products and services by providing liability protections.  Member companies of GTSC with the Designation of Excellence have considered the SAFETY Act and whether it is appropriate for their company and either started the process to achieve certification or indicated that it is not appropriate for their business.  Information on the SAFETY Act is available at: www.safetyact.gov

Ethics & Code of Conduct Training

Recent events, and the nature of homeland and national security specifically, require the highest standards of ethics and accountability.  Companies in GTSC commit to the highest standards of ethics and accountability in their business with their government clients.  Those with the Designation of Excellence have participated in GTSC’s Ethics & Code of Conduct Training that considers: proper and improper payments, political contributions, social media, conflicts of interest, independent pricing, employment discussions with government personnel, restrictions on former government personnel, performance obligations, penalties and sanctions and reporting obligations. Another similar rigorous program for ethics and code of conduct training that considers the aforementioned issues may be completed to fulfill the requirement of company training to instill the highest standards of ethics and responsibility.

For more information about the GTSC Designation of Leadership Excellence, please contact us!