The Regional Security Office (RSO) in Rome is an extension of the Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) and serves as the lead Law Enforcement Office for the United States Mission to Italy. Domestically DS has protective responsibility for the Secretary of State, Foreign Ministers and other designated individuals; investigates threats against these protectees; protects the Department’s Harry S. Truman Building and other Annexes; works in conjunction with the Secret Service’s Uniformed Division to protect Foreign Missions; and plans and implements security designs for designated Major International or Domestic Events in which there is an visible American presence (Olympics, World Cup, Pan American Games).
While abroad, DS is tasked with providing a safe and secure environment to aid the United States Government in the conduct of U.S. Foreign policy. One of these tools is “OSAC” – The Overseas Advisory Council – it was created in 1985 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to promote security cooperation between American interests (Hotels, Businesses, Schools) worldwide and the Department of State. This joint venture has been mutually beneficial for both the American interests that participate in the OSAC program and the Department in that they are collectively able to address their security concerns as a group by pooling their resources, the exchange of security related information
OSAC promotes effective cooperation by working to assist the U.S. private sector to better anticipate security concerns. These concerns include the identification and tracking of threats to personnel and facilities, intellectual properties, investments and business interests. It also ensures that critical unclassified security information is shared with those that require it in a timely fashion.
The Overseas Security Advisory Council (website https://www.osac.gov/) provides links to information from around the world.
You can reach Rome U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer by phone at: (+39) 06-4674-2175.
Italy has an active OSAC Country Council based out of Milan. Rome is in the beginning phases of the creation of its own Country Council. For further information on the OSAC Country Council in Italy, visit https://italy.osac.gov/ or contact the Regional Security Office of the U.S. Consulate in Milan. For more information on OSAC Country Councils, visit https://www.osac.gov/.