What is the relationship between a Cognizant Security Agency (CSA) and a Cognizant Security Office (CSO)?

• A. Each CSA has one or more CSOs, which administer the NISP
• B. CSOs supervise CSAs
• C. CSOs are federal courts
• D. CSAs do not interact with CSOs

Answer: (A)

In the industrial security framework, the Cognizant Security Agency is the overall authority responsible for the security program, while the Cognizant Security Office is the field office that implements it on the ground. Each CSA has one or more CSOs that administer the NISP, handling day-to-day tasks such as facility clearance processing, inspections, safeguarding compliance, and coordinating investigations. The CSA provides policy direction, oversight, and approves security actions across its jurisdiction, while the CSO executes these responsibilities locally. The other statements don’t fit: CSOs are not federal courts; CSOs do not supervise CSAs; and CSAs do interact with CSOs to run the program.