Which type of incidents must be reported to the FBI and DCSA under the NISPOM?

The requirement to report actual, probable, or possible espionage, sabotage, and terrorism activities to the FBI and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) under the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) is rooted in the necessity to protect national security and sensitive information. These types of incidents represent significant threats to national interests and involve actions that can compromise the security of classified information or facilities.

When incidents fall under the categories of espionage, sabotage, or terrorism, they can have far-reaching implications, not only for individual organizations but also for national security as a whole. The FBI and DCSA have the resources and authority necessary to investigate these severe threats comprehensively, making reporting these incidents crucial for facilitating timely and effective responses.

In contrast, limiting the scope of reportable incidents to only those involving specific types of individuals or actions—such as government employees, foreign nationals, or merely suspected subversive activities—does not capture the full spectrum of threats that could potentially undermine national security. The emphasis on espionage, sabotage, and terrorism ensures that all relevant situations that could pose a risk are reported, thus enabling appropriate preventive and mitigative measures to be taken.