On June 24, 2019, the Department of Defense, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the renaming of the Defense Security Service (DSS) to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
The name change was directed by Executive Order 13869 (April 24, 2019), which transferred the responsibility for background investigations from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) to the Department of Defense.
The DCSA is now the primary entity for background investigations. It continues to administer the National Industrial Security Program as well as responsibilities relating to continuous vetting and, insider threat programs. While its website has been retitled, it currently remains at dss.mil.
Notably, DCSA should not to be confused with DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) whose mission includes administering the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and other security cooperation programs for the Department of Defense. Both agencies have relevance and responsibilities under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Multiple ITAR sections related to classified technical data and other classified defense articles continue to refer to the Defense Security Service. These sections should eventually be amended to reflect the new agency name, but there has not yet been a formal announcement.