The Secretary of Defense shall be responsible for the protection of classified information disclosed to contractors of the Department of Defense.

The Secretary shall carry out the responsibility assigned under subsection (a) in a manner consistent with Executive Order 12829 (or any successor order to such executive order) and consistent with policies relating to the National Industrial Security Program (or any successor to such program).

The Secretary may perform industrial security functions for other agencies of the Federal government upon request or upon designation of the Department of Defense as executive agent for the National Industrial Security Program (or any successor to such program).

The Secretary shall prescribe, and from time to time revise, such regulations and policy guidance as are necessary to ensure the protection of classified information disclosed to contractors of the Department of Defense.

The Secretary shall ensure that sufficient resources are provided to staff, train, and support such personnel as are necessary to fully protect classified information disclosed to contractors of the Department of Defense.

(Added Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, § 845(a)(1), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4541, § 438; renumbered § 428, Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, § 1073(a)(4), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2472; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(b)(11), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4369; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1051(a)(3), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1560.)