A Market Where Even the Tomatoes Need Security Clearance

A Market Where Even the Tomatoes Need Security Clearance

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jun 24, 2015

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

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • 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. 3

  • 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. 3

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises. 3