What is the role of the Defense Security Service (DSS)?

The Defense Security Service (DSS) plays a critical role in managing the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and ensuring compliance with security regulations. This responsibility encompasses overseeing the protection of classified information in the hands of private industry, as well as establishing and enforcing standards that security professionals and facilities must follow to safeguard sensitive data. By managing the NISP, the DSS interacts with both government and industry to facilitate a consistent approach to security measures, conducting assessments, and providing guidance on best practices. This function is essential to maintaining national security interests while engaging with the industrial base that supports defense efforts.

The other choices either highlight functions that fall outside the primary mandate of DSS or are not central to its core responsibilities regarding national security and compliance within the industrial sector. Thus, managing the NISP is a foundational element of the DSS's mission and illustrates its comprehensive approach to ensuring that security standards are upheld across various entities involved with the government.