DCSA hosts 2024 NISP Executive Signatory Conference

QUANTICO, Va. - Today, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is hosting the first inaugural 2024 National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Executive Signatory Conference. This event gathers senior executive-level representatives from the 35 NISP signatory agencies for which DCSA provides security services. The event was designed to address pressing security challenges, reaffirm the program's core principles and provide a clear vision for the future implementation of DCSA's 2040 strategic goals.

Established by Executive Order 12829, and further amended by Section 6 of Executive Order 13691, the NISP represents a vital partnership between the federal government and private industry. The NISP's four major tenets include achieving uniformity in security procedures, implementing the reciprocity principle, eliminating duplicative or unnecessary requirements, and reducing security costs.

The Secretary of Defense has entered into agreements with the executive branch agencies to provide industrial security services to protect, vet, educate and support them through administration of the NISP.

There are approximately 12,500 contractor facilities that are cleared for access to classified information under DCSA's security oversight responsibilities. DCSA provides field personnel, Government Contracting Activities (GCAs) and cleared contractors with timely, consistent policy guidance and to provide effective interpretation of the NISP. Without security safeguards, critical technology can end up in the hands of our adversaries, eroding our nation's military and economic competitive advantages.

"By promoting and demanding common, uniformly high standards of industrial security in the defense industrial base, we are protecting key elements of our national security enterprise," said Matthew Redding, the Assistant Director of Industrial Security for DCSA. "Without security safeguards, critical technology can end up in the hands of our adversaries, eroding our nation's military and economic competitive advantages. The threat is real and as a whole of government effort, be ready."

The conference features a keynote address by Mr. Michael Casey, Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. His insights look to underscore the pivotal role of the NISP signatories in navigating current conflicts with adversaries and highlight the strategic importance of the program.