The National Industrial Security Program
Working Together to Protect Classified Information and Preserve our Nation's Economic and Technological Interests.
The NISP
In January 1993, the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established in
Executive Order 12829. The goal of the NISP is to safeguard classified information in the
possession of Government contractors, licensees, or grantees in the most efficient and
cost effective manner possible.
The NISP applies to all executive branch departments and agencies. The major signatories to the program are the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Defense
(DOD), and the Central Intelligence Agency.
Consistent with the goal of achieving greater uniformity in security requirements for classified contracts, the four major tenets of the NISP are:
- Achieving uniformity in security procedures.
- Implementing the reciprocity principle in security procedures, particularly with regard to facility and personnel clearances.
- Eliminating duplicative or unnecessary requirements, particularly agency inspections.
- Achieving reductions in security costs.
Policy and Operational Oversight
Information Security Oversight Office
Executive Order 12829 requires the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) to exercise
policy oversight on behalf of the National Security Council (NSC). ISOO responsibilities
include implementing and monitoring the NISP and overseeing agency, contractor, licensee, and grantee actions to ensure that they comply with Executive Order 12829. ISOO also reviews all agency implementing regulations, internal rules, or guidelines, and conducts on-site reviews of the implementation of the NISP by each agency, contractor, licensee, and grantee that has access
to or stores classified information. Additionally, ISOO reports annually to the President on the
NISP. ISOO is also responsible for overseeing the Government-wide security classification program
established under Executive Order 12958, "Classified National Security Information." In
addition to reporting to the President annually on the status of this program, ISOO performs
similar functions to those noted for the NISP. ISOO also recommends policy changes to the
security classification system to the President through the NSC.
Secretary of Defense
The NISP assigns operational oversight to the Secretary of Defense, who acts as the Executive Agent of the NISP, and has final responsibility for issuing and maintaining the National Industrial
Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). As the Executive Agent, the Secretary of Defense also provides information on the implementation of the NISP within industry.
Defense Security Service
The Director of the Defense Security Service (DSS) administers the NISP on behalf of the Secretary of
Defense and user agencies. DSS also conducts personal security investigations used by DOD
adjudicative facilities to determine an individual's access to classified information
for a sensitive position within DOD including DOD cleared contractor facilities.
NISPPAC
Executive Order 12829 established the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory
Committee (NISPPAC). The NISPPAC represents a true partnership between Government and industry in policy making. The NISPPAC, with representation from Government and industry, advises the ISOO Director, who serves as its Chair, on all matters concerning the policies of the NISP, including recommending changes to those policies. It serves as a forum for discussing policy issues in dispute.
The NISPPAC meets twice a year and the meetings are open to the public.
Monitorship
In keeping with its oversight responsibilities, ISOO continues to evaluate the effectiveness of the NISP. In the past, this has been accomplished by conducting surveys with contractors and agencies. In Fiscal Year 1996, ISOO surveyed NISP participants in the Boston, Massachusetts area, and in Fiscal Year 1998, ISOO expanded the focus of its evaluations to include contractors in the Southwest and Western regions, as well as contractors in the Greater Washington, DC area. Future surveys are planned. Click on the "National Industrial Security Program" under Programs and Groups at http://www.archives.gov/isoo.
Contact Information
The Information Security Oversight Office
Director
National Archives and Records Administration Building
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 100
Washington, D.C. 20408
(202) 219-5250
Email: isoo@nara.gov
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Director of Security
Washington, D.C. 20505
(703) 482-9006
Department of Energy (DOE)
Director, Office of Security
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Mail Stop: SO-1
Washington, D.C. 20585
(202) 586-3345
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Director of Facilities and Security
Mail Stop-T7D57
Washington, D.C. 20555
(301) 415-8080
Email: tom2@nrc.gov
The Office of the Secretary of Defense
Director of Industrial Security
OASD (C3I)/ODASD (S&IO)
Room 1E765, 6000 Defense, Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301
(703) 695-9468
Defense Security Service
Deputy Director for Industrial Security Program
1340 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314-1651
(703) 325-5282
Email: ronald.iverson@mail.dss.mil
Industry
For information on the industry representatives, please contact ISOO
at the e-mail address or telephone number mentioned above.
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