Joseph D. Cooper
Mr. Joseph D. Cooper developed the idea for the National Security Training Institute in 2002 and was instrumental in getting it incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2004. He serves on the Board of Directors and as Course Director for the Industrial Special Security Administrator’s Course.
Mr. Cooper began Special Aerospace Security Services, Inc (SASSi) in 1988 with a vision of providing the highest quality training for Industrial Special Security Officers. He developed and presented the one week Industrial Security Officer Course (ISOC) to industry with excellent results from 1988 to 1991. In 1991, the US Government funded the course and continued to do so for the next ten years. Since 1991 Mr. Cooper’s company has grown and expanded its resources. In addition to owning SASSi, Mr. Cooper started a construction and alarm company, SCIF Constructors, LLC to provide high security construction capabilities to the Intelligence Community and associated contractors.
Mr. Cooper is a founding member of the Industrial Security Working Group (ISWG) and presently sits on the ISWG Board of Directors. He is also a past president of the Florida Chapter of the National Classification Management Society (NCMS).
Mr. Cooper has created and presented numerous security awareness, education, and training programs for industry, government, and professional organizations including: “Developing Management Support” for NCMS National Seminar, “Cost-Effective Security Programs” for ASIS Chapter, and “Cost-Effective Physical Security” for ESL, Inc.
Prior to founding SASSi, Mr. Cooper was a US Army CI Officer with several counterintelligence assignments and a tour with Special Forces in Southeast Asia. As an Army Intelligence Officer, Mr. Cooper was the Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Field Office of the Defense Investigative Service. After six years of Active Duty he remained in the Reserves until retirement in 1991 obtaining the rank of Major.
Following military service Mr. Cooper began his industry career as a security administrator for Harris Corporation, Melbourne, FL where he went on to become the Manager for Special Security Programs. While at Harris he developed a robust security program for a 200-acre facility with over 10,000 employees and 20 buildings used for classified programs.
As Security Director for Ultrasystems Defense and Space Inc, Irvine, CA Mr. Cooper was responsible for all aspects of security management and physical security for a six-site Corporation.
Mr. Cooper has a B.S. in Psychology and Social Science from the University of Tampa and a M.S. in Security Management from Rollins College
Mr. Cooper can be see teaching the:
- Practical SCIF Construction Course
- Special Security Officer Course