Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Date: 09/02/2010 Location: New York, New York Description: Jeffrey W. Culver,Public Sector Co-Chair of OSAC, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security along with Dave Schrimp, Private Sector Co-Chair of OSAC, 3M Vice President of Corporate Security ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on September 1, 2010 in New York City. © Ben Hider/NYSE Euronext

Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and global private sector security professionals visit the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).  Dave Schrimp (front row, 3rd from left), OSAC Private Sector Co-Chair and 3M Director of Corporate Security, and Jeffrey W. Culver (front row, 3rd from right), OSAC Public Sector Co-Chair and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on September 2, 2010, in New York City. (Photo by Ben Hider/NYSE Euronext) 



The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State. DS is a world leader in international investigations, threat analysis, cyber security, counterterrorism, security technology, and protection of people, property, and information.

Led by Eric J. Boswell, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. Every diplomatic mission in the world operates under a security program designed and maintained by Diplomatic Security. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigates passport and visa fraud, and conducts personnel security investigations. Operating from a global platform in 25 U.S. cities and 159 foreign countries, DS ensures that America can conduct diplomacy safely and securely. DS plays a vital role in protecting U.S. embassies and personnel overseas, securing critical information systems, investigating passport and visa fraud, and fighting the war on terror.

Diplomatic Security 2009 Annual Report

Date: 03/26/2010 Description: Image of the cover of the 2009 DS Year in Review. - State Dept Image

DS History Photos


Date: 1917 Description: 1917: The first Chief Special Agent of the U.S. Department of State, Joseph M. Nye, is appointed by U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing in 1917 and serves until 1920. His principal duty initially is to monitor enemy diplomatic activities in Washington and to protect foreign dignitaries visiting the United States, during the period of the First World War. (Source: Library of Congress) © Library of Congress

Violence Against Americans

Date: 06/02/2010 Description: Cover of Bureau of Diplomatic Security's 2009 Political Violence Against Americans report showing a protester in Managua, Nicaragua using an improvised hand-held mortar against the U.S. Embassy on October 29, 2009. © AP Image

Learn more about the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the 2009 DS Year In Review, now available online.

View the "Diplomatic Security Pictorial History," a collection of photos depicting key moments and people in DS's history.

Read the 2009 edition of Diplomatic Security's Political Violence Against Americans.

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