Which entity administers the National Industrial Security Program on behalf of a Cognizant Security Agency?

Which entity administers the National Industrial Security Program on behalf of a Cognizant Security Agency?

• A. Cognizant Security Office (CSO)
• B. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
• C. National Security Agency (NSA)
• D. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)

Answer: (A)

In the National Industrial Security Program, each Cognizant Security Agency designates its own Cognizant Security Office to run the program for that agency’s contractors. The Cognizant Security Office is the primary administrator for industrial security within that CSA, handling tasks like facility clearances, personnel clearances, safeguarding, and ensuring compliance with the NISPOM for the agency’s programs. While the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency provides overarching policy, inspections, and coordination across all CSAs, the day-to-day administration for a specific CSA’s program is carried out by that agency’s CSO. The other agencies listed are Cognizant Security Agencies themselves, not the office that administers another CSA’s NISP program.

In the National Industrial Security Program, each Cognizant Security Agency designates its own Cognizant Security Office to run the program for that agency’s contractors. The Cognizant Security Office is the primary administrator for industrial security within that CSA, handling tasks like facility clearances, personnel clearances, safeguarding, and ensuring compliance with the NISPOM for the agency’s programs. While the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency provides overarching policy, inspections, and coordination across all CSAs, the day-to-day administration for a specific CSA’s program is carried out by that agency’s CSO. The other agencies listed are Cognizant Security Agencies themselves, not the office that administers another CSA’s NISP program.