Clifford McCoy
Transportation Security Administration
2019 fellow
Cliff McCoy serves as Deputy Chief Security Officer (DCSO) for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and is assigned to the Law Enforcement and Federal Air Marshal Service. In this role, Cliff is the primary advisor and authoritative consultant responsible for strategically planning, developing, directing and administering a wide range of complex comprehensive law enforcement and security management programs for TSA’s workforce of 60,000 personnel operating in over 600 facilities.
Cliff previously served as the Chief of the Special Security Office (SSO) where he was responsible for TSA’s SSO operations of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs). Cliff was the authoritative source and subject matter expert for TSA on all matters relative to SSO functions, responsibilities and operations and advised top level TSA officials and offices on developments and advances in protective technology and operational security.
Prior to TSA, Cliff served as the Chief of the SCI Policy Branch for ten years at the Headquarters, Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2, Pentagon. In this capacity, Cliff was the primary advisor and staff officer responsible for the Army’s SCI Security Program and Special Security Office system, which was comprised of more 800 accredited SCIFs and 120 SSOs worldwide. Cliff was a key contributor to the rewrite of Army Security Regulations, DoD Manual 5105.21 Volumes 1-3 and the Intelligence Community Directive/Standard (ICD/ICS) 705, which govern policy for SSO operations and SCIF Management. As a subject matter expert in Security, Cliff participated in numerous expert working groups/committees at the Department of Defense and Director of National Intelligence levels making a significant impact in the Intelligence community.
Cliff began his professional career in 1983 and served 20 years in the U.S Army in a variety of assignments globally. Cliff held countless leadership and operational positions throughout his tenure. Following his military career, Cliff worked as a Senior National Security Analyst with the Computer Science Corporation supporting the Office of the UnderSecretary of Defense for Policy as a Senior Technical Advisor on Special Access Programs and Special Technical Operations.
Cliff earned a Master of Arts degree in Business & Organizational Security Management from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Security Management from Park University. Cliff is a 2018 graduate of TSA’s Leadership Institute, School of Senior Leadership Studies and American University’s Key Executive Leadership Program. Cliff and his wife, Eraina live in Maryland and have 4 amazing kids, Brittany, Xavier, Nigel and Kennedy.
