Final answer:
The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) provides guidelines for private companies on safeguarding classified information related to national security. It details procedures for handling classified materials, securing sensitive data, and outlines the responsibilities of defense contractors and other organizations that work with government entities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) best describes a set of guidelines for private sector companies to safeguard classified information. This manual stipulates how to handle classified materials and secure sensitive information that pertains to national security while under the control of a private entity. It covers various aspects including clearance procedures, the protection of classified information, and reporting requirements.
Primarily, the NISPOM is used by defense contractors and other private enterprises that deal with the Department of Defense (DoD) or other government agencies where access to classified information is necessary. The purpose of the NISPOM is to prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and ensure that industry partners protect national security as diligently as government entities.
The NISPOM is closely tied to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), which is the U.S. federal agency responsible for overseeing the protection of U.S. and foreign classified information and technologies in the hands of industry partners.