What does the term "cognizant security agency" refer to in the context of NISP?

The term "cognizant security agency" refers specifically to an agency that is responsible for oversight and guidance in the context of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). This agency plays a crucial role in providing direction on security policies, standards, and practices that organizations must follow to protect classified information.

A cognizant security agency evaluates the security arrangements of contractors, ensures compliance with applicable security regulations, and generally oversees the security environment in which classified work takes place. This aligns with the purpose of NISP, which is designed to safeguard national security information at industrial facilities.

In contrast to the other options, this term does not encompass any agency involved in industrial security broadly, nor does it refer to agencies that do not handle security or those that are focused solely on personnel security. The definition emphasizes the agency's role in providing the necessary oversight to maintain the integrity of national security and compliance with established security protocols.