Which document guides safeguarding of classified information in government-industry relations?

• A. National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)
• B. The SOW
• C. The DCSA policy
• D. The GCA directive

Answer: (A)

Safeguarding classified information in government-industry relations is governed by the document that sets all the security requirements for handling, storing, transmitting, and controlling access to classified material. The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual explains how to classify and protect sensitive information, establish security programs, determine need-to-know, and manage personnel security, incident reporting, and security training. It is the standard reference used by industry partners working with the government in matters of national security.

The other options don’t serve as the primary guide for this protection role. A Statement of Work outlines tasks and deliverables, not security controls. A DCSA policy covers security topics more broadly but does not replace the specific framework for safeguarding classified information in the government-industrial relationship. A GCA directive is not the established standard governing how classified information is protected in this context.

So the manual that directs safeguarding of classified information in government-industry relations is the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual.