As the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is set to become the primary background investigation provider today, Charles Phalen will be appointed acting director, effective July 1.
Formerly the Defense Security Service (DSS), DCSA was born out of an executive order that merged the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) and DSS. Background investigations, as a part of the DCSA mission, will now be under the purview of the Department of Defense after previously being a part of the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) mission.
“Mr. Phalen has the full support and confidence of the Acting Secretary of Defense, the Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and myself,” Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Joseph Kernan wrote in a memo obtained by Federal News Network. “His current position, background, and experience in both government and industry make him well qualified to serve as the Acting Director, DCSA.”
Phalen will serve dual roles as acting director of DCSA and National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) director. The current director at DSS, Dan Payne, is preparing for retirement.
“This combined team is well positioned to bring greater focus and alignment to U.S. governmentwide efforts to strengthen our trusted workforce, mitigate supply chain threats, protect sensitive information, and bolster counterintelligence capabilities,” Kernan wrote.
