In response to one of OSAC’s most significant recommendations in 1987, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) created a research and information support staff dedicated to security issues affecting the U.S. private sector overseas. Known as the OSAC Program Office, the center has three units assigned to focus on (1) geographic areas of the world and conduct research and analysis; (2) outreach to the private sector and the creation of sustaining security information networks; (3) provide guidance on avoiding and mitigating current and emerging personnel and asset threats. The OSAC Program Office is able to provide “any enterprise incorporated in the United States doing business abroad” with timely security-related information of an unclassified nature by means of the web site, consultations, and information networks.

Research and Analysis: Researches issues affecting the private sector overseas and distributes this information through reports, briefings and consultations. In the span of a year this unit conducts over 3,000 security consultations via phone, office visit, and email with the private sector and produces over 200 analytical reports.

Outreach Programs: Promotes and facilitates security information networks, such as…

OSAC Country Chapters replicate the OSAC partnership at 142 overseas locations bringing together diplomatic missions and private sector organizations to enhance the exchange of security related information abroad. These organizations encourage managers with security responsibilities to organize themselves to cope with security problems by pooling their resources. Key representatives of these Country Chapters and U.S Embassy security officers, as well as other post officials, develop working relationships to create an exchange of information through which pertinent, unclassified, security information is shared in a timely fashion.

OSAC Working Groups are sector-specific groups that allow representatives to participate in smaller, like-minded groups to ensure targeted and actionable information sharing. Seven sector committees allow representatives from academia, aviation, energy, faith-based, hospitality, media & entertainment, and NGO sectors to participate in these targeted and actionable information-sharing groups.

OSAC Regional Committees offer opportunities for members to engage on Africa, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and Pan-Asia specific security discussions.

Explore OSAC Groups

Global Threat Warning: This unit maintains close working relationships across the Intelligence Community in order to facilitate the timely release and passage of information at the unclassified level. Threat notifications occur when the U.S. Government is aware of specific and credible threats targeting U.S. individuals or organizations. OSAC assumes the responsibility for sharing real-time information pertaining to U.S. organizations overseas in a manner and on a timeline that allows for threat mitigation.

The OSAC Program Office is staffed with analysts, program managers, and coordinators dedicated solely to the needs of the U.S. private sector. OSAC Program Office analysts gauge threats to U.S. businesses, personnel, facilities, and intellectual property abroad. With access to a broad range of classified and unclassified reporting from American embassies abroad, as well as open source information, the Program Office staff track social, political, and economic issues that impact the security of the U.S. private sector operating overseas.

The OSAC.gov website is the focal point for the exchange of unclassified information on security related incidents and threats overseas between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. private sector. Information on the website available to members includes the following as Travel Advisories and Travel Alerts linked through the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

• "OSAC Analysis" reports with the latest on major security incidents around the world.
• Coverage of Major Events with continual freshening of information on posing threats include the Olympics, the World Cup, the economic summit meetings of the G8, and the World Economic Forum.
• Security-focused reporting searchable by region and/or topic.

A resource library packed with expertise on contingency planning, plus model presentations that members can adapt for briefing their own personnel, and more.

To contact the Program Office staff, please see below for details by region:

• Africa – osacAF@state.gov
• Americas – osacWHA@state.gov
• East Asia & the Pacific – osacEAP@state.gov
• Cybersecurity – osacCYBER@state.gov
• Europe – osacEUR@state.gov
• Middle East & North Africa – osacNEA@state.gov
• South & Central Asia – osacSCA@state.gov
• Major Events – osacMajorEvents@state.gov
• General Questions – OSACAdmin@state.gov or telephone+1 (571) 345-2223
• After-Hours Emergencies – osacEmergency@state.gov or telephone +1 (202) 309-5056