Who is commonly responsible for approving the Program Protection Plan?

Who is commonly responsible for approving the Program Protection Plan?

• A. Organizational or Command Security Manager
• B. Program Manager
• C. Security Classification Guide Team
• D. Chief Information Officer

Answer: (B)

In program protection, the final say on the plan that dictates how to safeguard sensitive information and materials for a specific program rests with the person who owns and is accountable for that program’s success. The Program Manager oversees the entire program—its objectives, schedule, budget, and risk management—and must authorize security measures that affect program execution. Approving the protection plan ensures that security needs are integrated with how the program will be delivered and funded, and that risks are accepted or mitigated within the program’s context. While security managers provide expertise and ensure compliance, they do not hold the program-wide approval authority. Classification guidance teams focus on labeling and handling information, not approving the entire program’s protection plan, and the Chief Information Officer oversees broader enterprise IT governance rather than individual program approvals. Therefore, the Program Manager is responsible for approving the Program Protection Plan.

In program protection, the final say on the plan that dictates how to safeguard sensitive information and materials for a specific program rests with the person who owns and is accountable for that program’s success. The Program Manager oversees the entire program—its objectives, schedule, budget, and risk management—and must authorize security measures that affect program execution. Approving the protection plan ensures that security needs are integrated with how the program will be delivered and funded, and that risks are accepted or mitigated within the program’s context. While security managers provide expertise and ensure compliance, they do not hold the program-wide approval authority. Classification guidance teams focus on labeling and handling information, not approving the entire program’s protection plan, and the Chief Information Officer oversees broader enterprise IT governance rather than individual program approvals. Therefore, the Program Manager is responsible for approving the Program Protection Plan.