SIA New Member Profile: Cherokee Nation Security & Defense
New Security Industry Association (SIA) member Cherokee Nation Security & Defense (CNSD) provides state-of-the-art critical site infrastructure protection, security surveillance services, access control technologies and security integration for both government and commercial clients. CNSD is supported by the financial strength, integrity and experience of Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB). CNSD is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has offices throughout the country that support more than 500 projects a year. The company is a subsidiary of Cherokee Nation Businesses and also works internationally for clients such as the U.S. Department of State.
SIA spoke with Rachel Wyatt-Swanson, federal business development manager for CNSD, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.
SIA: Tell us the story of your company.
Rachel Wyatt-Swanson: CNSD is supported by the financial strength, integrity and experience of Cherokee Nation Businesses. CNB is wholly owned by the Cherokee Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the United States. With 11,000 employees, the tribe and its businesses make an economic impact of more than $2.16 billion annually.
CNSD was created in July 2009 to provide quality employment opportunities for Cherokee Nation citizens within an organization that offers state-of-the-art, critical site infrastructure protection, security surveillance services and access control technologies to both government and commercial clients. Our goal is to provide customers with a “one-stop shop” for all physical security related requirements, allowing CNSD to build a customized security package based on our customer desires. Our holistic approach provides customers with turnkey security solutions to support their hardware and software from cradle to grave, giving them the autonomy to use systems and hardware specific to their security requirements. Since 2009, we have added more than 100 employees and expanded our footprint into 50 states, U.S. territories and foreign countries, supporting customers such as the Internal Revenue Service, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), the U.S. Department of Energy and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). CNSD continues to specialize in anti-terrorism and force protection, delivering comprehensive services that secure facility perimeters against all threats.
What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings/company unique?
R W-S: Our primary work consists of supporting legacy and new technology in:
- Access control and systems
- Active vehicle barriers
- Duress and emergency notification systems
- Intrusion detection systems
- Standalone and network video solutions
Our extended services include:
- Program management office services: dedicated program office and support staff; enterprise maintenance/inventory management system;and quality control and assurance
- Technical security services and support staffing: agency-specific regulation and compliance services; experienced technical engineering staff and solutions; and subject matter experts for dedicated technical services
- Security design, engineering and research and development services: design build options; federal guidelines and best practices assessment; full solution design (scope, drawings and specifications); and risk and vulnerabilities assessment
- Installation and deployment: effective scheduling, reporting and resource control; network of qualified subcontractors and suppliers; on-site supervision focused on safety, teamwork, quality and budget; trained install team delivering on-time, high-caliber projects; and turnkey project management
- Maintenance and life cycle support: 24/7/365 emergency and after-hours support; dedicated and part-time workforce options; flexible annual, quarterly or monthly schedule options; parts/inventory management and sourcing; personal and baggage screening equipment; and vehicle barrier system
- Helping agencies meet federal compliance: duress alarms and emergency notification; HSPD 12/FIPS 201/FICAM; IDS compliance and testing; and ISC facility protection measures and compliance
- Helping agencies reduce cost with innovative solutions: centralized PMO, technical security and support offices; enterprise systems, networks and data migration; and security compliance, training and operations standardization
What’s something we might not know about your company – or something new you’re doing in security?
R W-S: CNSD supports a wide range of customers, including enterprise government accounts like the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State, the TSA, the U.S. Treasury and the DHA. CNSD operates in more than 500 locations across the United States and overseas at mission-critical U.S. government facilities.
The General Services Administration (GSA) recently awarded CNSD a five-year 8a GSA Schedule 84 Multiple Award. This contract allows CNSD the opportunity to bid on thousands of task orders each year, giving the company more opportunities to support our current customers and introduce CNSD’s capabilities to new clients both within and outside of the United States.
CNSD was also recently awarded a Vehicle Barriers Maintenance and Repair Services MAC IDIQ to provide preventive maintenance, inspection and minor repair for operational vehicle barriers at all U.S. Air Force installations located within the United States.
What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?
R W-S: Cherokee Nation, as well as CNSD, shares a vision of achieving and maintaining an enriching cultural identity, economic self-reliance and a strong tribal government. The tribally owned company’s goal is to continue providing the federal government with top security services and to continue supporting the Cherokee Nation and its citizens in as many ways possible.
SIA: What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership?
R W-S: SIA is a great advocate for the security integrators and the industry. We appreciate the education, marketing and government advocacy that SIA provides and look forward to networking with other integrators and companies within the Security Industry Association. It is an honor and privilege to work on numerous SIA committees. I am especially excited about becoming more involved with the SIA Women in Security Forum.
The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).
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