FOREWORD

On behalf of the Secretary of Defense as Executive Agent, pursuant
to Executive Order 12829, "National Industrial Security Program"
(NISP), and with the concurrence of the Secretary of Energy, the
Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Director of
Central Intelligence, I am pleased to promulgate the inaugural
edition of the NISP Operating Manual (NISPOM). The NISPOM was
developed in close coordination with industry and it represents a
concerted effort on behalf of hundreds of individuals throughout
the Executive Branch and industry.
 
I believe the NISPOM represents the beginning of a new industrial
security process which is based on sound threat analysis and risk
management practices and which establishes consistent security
policies and practices throughout the government. I also believe it
creates a new government and industry partnership which empowers
industry to more directly manage its own administrative security
controls.

The President has recently created a Security Policy Board to
ensure the protection of our nation's sensitive information and
technologies within the framework of a more simplified, uniform and
cost effective security system. The Security Policy Board and the
Executive Agent will continue the process of consultation with
industry on the NISPOM to make further improvements, especially in
the complex and changing areas of automated information systems
security and physical security.

All who use the NISPOM should ensure that it is implemented so as
to achieve the goals of eliminating unnecessary costs while
protecting vital information and technologies. Users of the NISPOM
are encouraged to submit recommended changes through their
Cognizant Security Agency to the Executive Agent's designated
representative at the following address:

     Department of Defense
     Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
     Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
     ATTN: DASD(I&S)/CI&SP, Room 3E160
     6000 Defense Pentagon 
     Washington, D.C. 20301-6000

The NISPOM replaces the Department of Defense Industrial Security
Manual for Safeguarding Classified Information, dated January 1991.


John M. Deutch
Deputy Secretary of Defense