or
of systems,
projects, or plans relating to
the national security
The original classification authority must determine that, if classification is applied or
reapplied, there is a reasonable possibility that the information can be provided protection
from unauthorized disclosure.
The decision to apply classification involves two sub-elements, both of which require the
application of reasoned judgment on the part of the classifier. The first is the
determination that the unauthorized disclosure of the information could reasonably be
expected to cause damage to the national security of the United States, and that the
damage can be identified or described. It is not necessary for the original classifier to
produce a written description of the damage at the time of classification, but the classifier
must be prepared to do so if the information becomes the subject of a classification
challenge, a request for mandatory review for declassification, or a request for release
under the Freedom of Information Act. The second step in the decision is to determine
the probable operational, technological and resource impact of classification. If there is
significant doubt about the need to classify information, it shall not be classified.
Enclosure
of this instruction is an original classification decision process chart that
may be helpful in determining whether or not to originally classify information.
The original classifier, again using reasoned judgment, must determine which level of
classification to be applied. If there is significant doubt about the appropriate level of
classification, the information shall be classified at the lower level.
Secret shall be applied to information the unauthorized disclosure of which
reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security that the
original classification authority is able to identify or describe.
Confidential shall be applied to information the unauthorized disclosure of which
reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security that the
original classification authority is able to identify or describe.
At the time of original classification, the original classifier must make a decision about
the length of time that the information shall require the protection of security
classification. It is best to use a date or event for declassification that corresponds to the
lapse of the information' national security sensitivity, but not longer than
s
years from
the date of original classification. Use a declassification instruction that will result in the
shortest duration of classification.
When a specific date or event is not apparent, use a declassification date that is
years
from the date of the original classification.
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