A Market Where Even the Tomatoes Need Security Clearance

A Market Where Even the Tomatoes Need Security Clearance

I think there’s hardly anything better than cold, fresh fruit and vegetables on a hot summer day from the local farmer’s market. I usually get up early, when the sun has just barely peeked out to introduce a new day and head to the market to engage my senses and buy pieces of nature’s bounty. Even NSA employees love a good market as they dreamed up the concept of their very own NSA Farmer’s Market.

Beginning last year as an alternative to the on-site cafeteria, NSA’s market launched with just a few local food producers and was held every Friday starting in spring until November. It was a huge success, so this year, NSA’s market was brought back again, this time even closer to the main building.

Can you imagine what type of security clearance you would need to become a vendor at NSA’s market? I would imagine a pretty high one.

Vendors can’t simply fill out an application as most are based on employee recommendations and receive an email invitation. The initial screening process requires vendors to give their place of birth, birthday, Social Security number and vehicle details. Once cleared, vendors must schedule in about 30 extra minutes on the day of the market to pass through two security checkpoints. Trained K-9s smell coolers and inspect vehicles for anything suspicious while refusing to gobble down treats being transported in. I’d say that takes some major restraint, especially since one of the vendors sells freshly-baked cupcakes!

NSA’s Farmer’s Market gives employees a chance to mingle across departments and become better acquainted as an agency. Even some of the vendors have befriended NSA employees but they must be careful how they interact outside the protective confines of the market. It’s okay to say something like, “It was great seeing you on Friday,” but the “where” must be left out.

Of the 10,000+ on-site employees, it is estimated that more than 1,000 visit the market every Friday.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.