The National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive Order 12829 to ensure that the cleared U.S. defense industry safeguards the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The NISP applies to all executive branch departments and agencies. The major signatories to the program are the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Defense, and the Central Intelligence Agency.