Executive Order 12829 established the _______ to provide a comprehensive and government-wide source for the requirements and safeguards used to protect classified information entrusted to industry. Select the best answer.

A. Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO)
B. National Industrial Security Program (NISP)
C. National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)

Executive Order 12829, signed on January 6, 1993, by then-President George H. W. Bush, established the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). This program was designed to protect classified information that is released to contractors, licensees, and grantees of the United States government.

Here are the key points about the National Industrial Security Program (NISP):

Who: The NISP involves various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense, as well as private industry partners who manage or have access to classified information.
What: The program sets requirements and establishes safeguards for securing classified information among industries that have been entrusted with such sensitive data.
When: The program was officially established by Executive Order 12829 on January 6, 1993.
Why: The goal of the NISP is to ensure that classified information is appropriately protected while enabling industrial operations to function smoothly without compromising national security.
How: The NISP provides a comprehensive set of guidelines and procedures. Companies and individuals working with classified information must comply with these guidelines to maintain the integrity and security of U.S. classified information.

In summary, the NISP provides a systematic approach for managing and safeguarding classified information, making it a critical element of national security operations involving private sector partners.