Who has the authority to allow PEDS in areas that process only FOu information?

• A. Local Commanders
• B. CSOs of Major Commands
• C. Facility Managers
• D. Security Officers

Answer: (A)

The key idea is who has the authority to grant access to areas that handle FOu information. In this context, the local commander holds the ultimate responsibility for security within their unit, including who may access spaces that process FOu data. They establish the security posture, determine need-to-know, and can authorize exceptions for PEDS access based on mission requirements and risk. While others—such as CSOs who implement security programs, facility managers who oversee the physical environment, and security officers who enforce rules—play important roles, they do not independently grant access to these areas. The local commander either approves or delegates that authority through established procedures, making local command the appropriate source of authorization for PEDS in FOu-only processing areas.