About the Office of Protection Services

The Office of Protection Services (OPS) works to ensure the safety and security of the staff, visitors, and National Collections of the Smithsonian Institution, while permitting an appropriate level of public access to collections and properties. This includes the Security Operations, Business Operations, Physical Security, and Technology Divisions.

Learn about our team’s most exciting stories, projects, events, and more on OPS in Action!

Each division of the Office of Protection Services plays an extremely important role in day-to-day Smithsonian operations.

The OPS Operations Division oversees the security and police operations in the Smithsonian facilities that display exhibitions to the public, collection storage areas and leased facilities, and Smithsonian research facilities worldwide. The team liaises with partnering outside agencies, issues criminal and investigative reports, manages emergency responses, and directs all alarm reporting and response functions.

The OPS Business Operations Division is the central resource for all aspects of OPS’ financial management, communications, human resources, staff parking, and procurement and property management.

The Physical Security Division is responsible for risk management; staff ID issuance; and the design, construction, maintenance, and administration of all physical security equipment and measures for the Smithsonian Institution. 

The OPS Technology Division manages critical security systems, including C•Cure 9000, Victor, and the OPS security network. It also oversees subcomponents like Deister weapons control, museum visit counts, Perspective, communications and mobile device management, and key audits. The team—made up of system administrators and a physical security specialist—work closely with the Physical Security Division and the Chief Information Officer, updating standards and advancing technology solutions to improve security and service.