When is Accountability of Classified Information Required in NISPOM?

The FSO designs a policy to maintain strict controlreceipting action. Some accountability records
over classified material. The NISPOM requirestrack document dispositions from inception to
control of it at the TOP SECRET level. However,dissemination on the same record. Contractors
all material entering the facility, produced,are not limited to a certain method of document
reproduced or entering the facility in any fashioncontrol other than the ability to track the status
should be brought into possession for control,of the documents the cleared facility possesses.
audit and inventory purposes. The NISPOM doesThe benefit of creating a database using any of
address the cleared contractor responsibility ofthe input (title, document number, contract
maintaining an information management systemnumber, reception date, and etc) is great. The
to protect and control classified information. Thisdatabase will facilitate retrieving the classified
control and accountability facilitates visibility of thematerial and be able to produce documentation
classified material and allows for preventativeand classified information within a reasonable
measures against unauthorized disclosure oramount of time as required by NISPOM. The use
identification of security violations.of a database to meet the information
Once the material is received and the deliverymanagement system aids in tracking classified
inspected against the receipt, the FSO or securityinformation offering increased protection and
specialist can input the information into theaccountability.
information management system or in otherAn information management system can help
words, a retrievable database. This database canfacilitate an annual inventory of all levels of
be something as simple as logging the informationclassified information. Because of the positive
into a notebook or through technology such asidentification and control involved, inventories aid in
software sold on the market. Some companiesthe protection of classified information. If during
and federal agencies have developed internalthe course of a normal inventory, a document is
forms and examples are available on the internet.not readily found, a more thorough search takes
The FSO is charged with protecting classifiedplace. Any part of the information management
material and an accountability record is ansystem record is part of a growing data
excellent tool for controlling it as it is introducedwarehouse that may prove beneficial in finding the
into the company. With the accountability record,misplaced product.
document disposition is annotated with additional