From whom must you receive authorization to transfer equipment to non-DON accounts?

The correct answer is that you must receive authorization from NCMS, which stands for the Navy Cryptologic Materiel Support. This organization is responsible for overseeing the management and distribution of cryptographic equipment and materials within the Navy and ensuring compliance with COMSEC policies.

Authorization is necessary to ensure that any transfer of equipment aligns with established security protocols and regulations, particularly when dealing with sensitive or classified items. This measure is vital to maintain the integrity of national security information and cryptographic operations.

In this context, the other options, while related to cryptographic operations, do not hold the same level of oversight for equipment transfers to non-DON accounts. CNO, or Chief of Naval Operations, typically addresses broader operational command aspects rather than specific equipment authorization. NSA, the National Security Agency, is focused on signals intelligence and security but does not directly manage Navy equipment transfers. An Equipment Manager is responsible for individual items but does not have the authority to approve transfers to non-DON accounts without guidance from NCMS.