Chapter 10 may not apply to every facility, and FSOs should understand why international security requirements differ

Title: Which NISPOM Chapter Might Not Apply to Every Facility—and Why It Matters

If you’ve ever looked at the NISPOM and thought, “This all sounds like it applies to every security program everywhere,” you’re not alone. The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual is packed with guardrails, procedures, and responsibilities designed to keep sensitive information safe. But here’s the twist: not every chapter is a universal fit for every facility. Some rules are broad and essential for all sites; others are tailored to situations that only show up in certain environments. Let’s peel back the pages and explore a question you’ll likely bump into in the field, in training conversations, or during audits: which NISPOM chapter may NOT apply to all facilities?

A quick snapshot of the answer

The correct answer is Chapter 10, International Security Requirements. This chapter zeroes in on policies and procedures related to international activities and partnerships. It’s where facilities that handle classified information connected to foreign programs, cross-border collaborations, or international supply chains dig into the specifics—things like foreign ownership, control, or influence considerations, and the various international standards and agreements that can shape security practices.

But wait—here’s the important part: because Chapter 10 is all about international dimensions, many facilities that operate strictly within domestic boundaries won’t need to implement every element in that chapter. It’s not that the chapter is wrong or unneeded—it’s that its scope is narrower and targeted to international work. For a facility that never engages with foreign partners or overseas programs, much of Chapter 10 may not be triggered by day-to-day operations. That’s the key distinction: Chapter 10 is not universally required in the same way as some other chapters.

Let me explain how this plays out in real-life terms

What Chapter 10 covers (and why it isn’t universal)

• International security requirements: Think of policies and procedures that govern activities tied to foreign governments, entities, or individuals. This can include safeguarding information under international agreements, complying with cross-border requirements, and coordinating with foreign partners in ways that affect security posture.

• Scope that’s not automatically active: If your facility operates only in the domestic arena, with no foreign agreements, exports, or international supply chains, many of the international-specific controls aren’t triggered in day-to-day operations. That doesn’t mean you skip security—far from it. It means you align with Chapter 1 (General Requirements) and the chapters that address universal protections, while applying Chapter 10 where the international dimension truly exists.

By comparison, other chapters tend to be more universal

Chapter 1: General Requirements

• This is the backbone. It lays out broad security foundations that almost all facilities must follow, regardless of where they do business. Think access controls, safeguarding classified information, and basic incident reporting. It’s the “everyone must do this” part of the manual. If you’re managing a site that handles classified information in any capacity, you’ll encounter Chapter 1 as a baseline.

Chapter 7: Security Training

• Training isn’t optional here. This chapter focuses on the need for personnel to understand security protocols, cyber hygiene, and the basics of safeguarding information. While the specifics of training programs can vary by role and program, the principle is universal: a well-informed workforce reduces risk. Even facilities with minimal or no international linkages still follow robust training requirements.

Chapter 5: Contractor Responsibilities

• This one speaks to the obligations of contractors, the way they partner with the government, and the expectations for safeguarding information. It’s about accountability, due diligence, and day-to-day security duties tied to contractors and subcontractors. If you’re in a facility that contracts with government entities, this chapter becomes a constant companion.

A practical lens: domestic-only vs. international operations

Let’s ground this with a couple of scenarios:

• Domestic-only facility

Imagine a plant that builds components for U.S. defense programs, with no foreign partners, no foreign ownership, and no export controls tied to international agreements. For this site, Chapter 10’s international security requirements may be largely irrelevant to their day-to-day work. They still live under the umbrella of Chapter 1, Chapter 7, and Chapter 5—but the international-specific language doesn’t drive their security posture.

• International-facing facility

Now picture a facility that collaborates with foreign government entities, processes information with cross-border implications, or relies on suppliers located outside the U.S. In this case, Chapter 10 becomes highly relevant. The FSO and security leadership would need to align policies with international controls, manage foreign ownership considerations, and ensure that partnerships meet the applicable international standards. Here, Chapter 10 isn’t just a sidebar; it’s a core piece of the security framework.

What this means for the Facility Security Officer (FSO)

1. Know when to apply what

A big part of the FSO’s job is mapping out which chapters govern your current operations. It’s not just about following a checklist; it’s about understanding the landscape of your programs. If international activities exist, you’ll want to carefully implement Chapter 10 requirements and maintain documentation to show compliance with international considerations.

2. Build a flexible governance model

Your security program should be adaptable. That means designing policies that cover universal protections, with add-on layers for international activities when needed. A modular approach keeps you efficient: you implement the general controls everywhere, and you layer in international controls only where the business actually requires them.

3. Stay aligned with risk, not just rote rules

Even within universal chapters, risk dynamics shift. For instance, a domestic site with a critical supplier network in another country might trigger certain international checks. The FSO should track risk signals—new partnerships, changes in foreign ownership, or regulatory updates—that could shift whether Chapter 10 applies.

Making sense of the chapters in everyday terms

• Universal guardrails you’ll see everywhere:

• Chapter 1: Basic security posture. Access controls, handling of classified material, reporting incidents.

• Chapter 5: Who’s responsible, who signs the checks, how contractors must behave to keep information safe.

• Chapter 7: Everyone should know the basics—security awareness, phishing resilience, how to spot anomalies.

• The occasional, location-specific add-ons:

• Chapter 10: International activities. Only when you have cross-border work, foreign partnerships, or international programs does this become a central piece of the security plan.

A few practical tips for FSOs navigating Chapter 10 when it matters

• Map your partnerships

Keep an updated inventory of international collaborations, joint ventures, and foreign suppliers. If any of these exist, Chapter 10 will likely come into play. Document how you assess and manage security risks tied to those relationships.

• Align with international agreements

Familiarize yourself with the frameworks that shape international security—things like export control regimes and any country-specific requirements that might affect how information is shared or stored. When in doubt, cross-check with your governing internal policies and, if needed, consult legal counsel to ensure your procedures meet the applicable standards.

• Create a light-touch review process

Not every month, but periodically, review whether your international considerations have changed. A simple quarterly check-in can catch shifts in partnerships, new foreign collaborators, or changes in international policy that would trigger updated controls.

• Document decisions and rationale

Auditors and oversight bodies appreciate clarity. When you decide that Chapter 10 is or isn’t applicable to a given operation, record the reasoning and the specific controls you’ve applied. This creates a transparent trail that supports your security posture and reduces back-and-forth later.

A friendly reminder about flow and nuance

Security work often lives in the gray areas between rigid rules and practical realities. Chapters aren’t medals you earn once and forget. They’re living parts of how you keep information safe in a changing world. Chapter 10 isn’t a universal requirement for every site, but it becomes essential the moment international ties enter the picture. Recognizing that distinction helps you avoid overreach on one hand and gaps on the other.

What does this mean for readers like you?

If you’re exploring the CDSE ecosystem, you’re likely balancing a few truths at once: you want a strong, defensible security program; you want to stay compliant with federal requirements; and you want to avoid unnecessary complexity. Understanding that Chapter 10 is not automatically relevant to every facility helps you tailor your security architecture without overloading systems or policies that don’t apply to your current operations.

A few quick reflections to keep in mind

• The NISPOM is a map, not a single compass. It points you in the right direction, but you steer depending on your destination—domestic or international.

• The FSO’s acumen grows when you know which chapter governs which situation. It’s about relevance, not volume of rules.

• Change is a constant. International partnerships can evolve, so periodic reviews help you stay current without being overwhelmed by the entire manual.

Closing thoughts: embracing the nuances

Security isn’t about applying every rule everywhere—it's about applying the right rule at the right time. Chapter 10 shines when international work needs it and recedes when it doesn’t, making space for other chapters to carry the load. For facilities that stay domestic, the core protections live in Chapters 1, 5, and 7, forming a sturdy foundation. For sites that cross borders, Chapter 10 adds the necessary depth to address international dimensions.

If you’re part of a team that manages facility security, take a moment to map your operations to these chapters. Ask yourself: Do we have international collaborations or foreign partnerships? Do any of our activities touch cross-border information flows? If the answer is yes, Chapter 10 should actively guide your policies and procedures. If not, you can focus your attention on universal safeguards that keep your facility resilient day in and day out.

In the end, the goal is simple: protect sensitive information while keeping operations efficient and compliant. And knowing which NISPOM chapters apply—and when—helps you do just that with confidence. If you stay curious about how these chapters turn into practical protections on the floor, you’ll be well prepared to navigate the complexities of facility security with clarity and purpose.