The mission of the North American Security Products Organization, NASPO, is to develop national and international fraud countermeasure and control standards and to certify compliance with those standards in the areas of finance transactions, identity management and material goods.
NASPO Executives
Richard Ward, Chairman
Josh Barnhart, Treasurer
Kelly Smith, Secretary
Michael O’Neil, Executive Director
Graham Whitehead, Director of Auditing
David Brown, Chair of Standards Committee
Lisa Ivey, Chair of Planning Committee
Michael Caffrey, Chair of Communications Committee
David Lightfoot, Director of Legal Communications
Structure, Governance, and Management
NASPO is a traditional trade association that satisfies both state nonprofit
corporation and federal income tax exemption requirements. The
management of NASPO will be the responsibility of a volunteer board of
directors as required by law. The composition of the board of directors
will be fully representative of the constituents of the association.
The board will have the ultimate authority for the development and
adoption of standards, and for the development and implementation of
the certification systems.
Legal Counsel
Our legal counsel is Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP,
2300 N Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20037-1128. The phone number
is 202-663-8000.
Setting the Standard for Security
In the past few years there has been an erosion of public confidence in graphic security products and related technologies. This is caused by unqualified providers who with a small amount of knowledge and access to digital equipment, are able to create and sell "look-alike" products with no regard for the financial or security issues that their actions create. In reaction to this threat, security product providers and their technology suppliers have had to counter with new and stronger technologies to prevent the easy reproduction of their products. In order to safe guard those technologies and bring credibility into our industry an organization has been created by companies and individuals within the security products industry. This organization is the North American Security Products Organization.
In countries outside Canada and the United States, security product providers are regulated by governmental agencies, regulatory agencies, or private industry and evaluated and classified to their security level. Not so in North America, where compliance groups are very limited or non-existent, thus creating a situation where any graphic product provider with modern electronic imaging capability can call itself a "security product provider". NASPO provides a structure that clearly defines those organizations that have established a certified level of security. Being acknowledged as a NASPO certified security product provider, with a rating at a certain level, is an objective measure of the organization's commitment to security.
This Act establishes certain protections for any joint research and development venture as to which a voluntary, prior written notification has been filed with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Specifically, in any antitrust suit brought under the Clayton Act relating to the conduct of such a venture, recovery by the plaintiff is limited to actual damages, interest, and reasonable attorney's fees. Subject to certain restrictions relating to the location of facilities and the nationality of participants, similar protections apply to joint ventures for the production of a product, process or service. NASPO has registered with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice for protections under this Act.
NASPO Disclaimer
NASPO is a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization created to certify security products organizations through the identification of best practices in the security field. To obtain NASPO certification, organizations must fulfill NASPO's accreditation criteria, identified best practices pertinent to high security (NASPO Class I), medium security (NASPO Class II), and basic security (NASPO Class III). Certification by NASPO indicates the certified company has met the specific requirements of the certification process, but is not a guarantee of competency, accuracy, or any particular business or transaction result. Information about Certified Companies is provided by the Certified Companies themselves and NASPO is not responsible for any incorrect or out-dated information about Certified Companies, including their office addresses or any other contact information. NASPO does not assume any duty to the public for the services of Certified Companies, or for any information about Certified Companies or any other person or entity participating in or receiving professional services from Certified Companies. NASPO makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy or suitability of any information or materials on this website; all such content is provided on an "as is" basis. NASPO HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES REGARDING THE CONTENTS OF THIS SITE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ALL WARRANTIES OF TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NASPO does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the products or services of any firm, organization, or person. NASPO SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY, CLAIM, OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER AN ACTION IN CONTRACT OR TORT AND SHALL FUTHER NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, OR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ATTORNEYS' FEES AND EXPENSES).
