Bureau of Diplomatic Security

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security, more commonly known as Diplomatic Security, or DS, is the security and law enforcement arm of the United States 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. DS's mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for officials to carry out U.S. foreign policy.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security - DS is the political face and parent organization of the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The DSS consists of the 2,000 Special Agents that are responsible for protecting visiting foreign dignitaries and U.S. diplomatic missions overseas. The DSS is the primary conduit utilized by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Department of State for the majority of all security and law enforcement matters.

Both terms DS and DSS are used interchangeably within the State Department and other agencies. Recently multi-agency press releases from the U.S. Attorney’s offices use the technically correct Diplomatic Security Service. As mentioned earlier DSS is structured as a law enforcement agency, primarily made up of U.S. Federal Agents.

The Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security is in charge of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Under the Assistant Secretary of State are several Deputy Assistant Secretaries; the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary is the Director for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The DSS is an organization within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). The Director for the Diplomatic Security Service, who is the top ranking, active Special Agent in the service, leads a force of Special Agents, Diplomatic Couriers, Security Engineering Officers, and Security Technical Specialists. Special Agents are sometimes referred to as "DS Agents" or "DSS Agents." Both terms are used interchangeably within the agency and other organizations.

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