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Copyright © Arvin S. Quist

K/CG-1077/V2

Security Classification of Information

Volume 2. Principles for Classification of Information

Arvin S. Quist
Classification Officer
Oak Ridge K-25 Site
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

April 1993

Prepared by the
Oak Ridge K-25 Site
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-7101
managed by
MARTIN MARIETTA ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
for the
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
under contract DE-AC05-84OR21400

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CONTENTS

ACRONYMS

PREFACE

ABSTRACT

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION

Chapter 2. MAJOR TYPES OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION-- SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE SECRETS

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTIVE SECRETS
OBJECTIVE SECRETS
TECHNICAL INFORMATION AS AN OBJECTIVE SECRET
SUBJECTIVE SECRETS, OBJECTIVE SECRETS, AND TRADE SECRETS
REFERENCES

Chapter 3. CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION-- AN OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION
NSI, RD, FRD, AND ORIGINAL CLASSIFICATION DECISIONS
MAJOR DECISIONS IN CLASSIFYING INFORMATION
DETERMINING WHETHER INFORMATION SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED
Precisely Defining the Information to be Classified
Precisely Specifying Why the Information is Classified
REFERENCES

Chapter 4. CAN THE INFORMATION BE CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT?

INTRODUCTION
DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE POWER TO CONTROL THE INFORMATION?
DO ADVERSARIES ALREADY KNOW THE INFORMATION?
CAN ADVERSARIES READILY OBTAIN THE INFORMATION?
REFERENCES

Chapter 5. INFORMATION-DISCLOSURE RISKS AND BENEFITS

INTRODUCTION
THE MEANING OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
The Meaning of National Security
The Meaning of National Defense
RISKS (COSTS) OF INFORMATION DISCLOSURE (CLASSIFICATION BENEFITS)
General
Six Criteria for Evaluating Risks of Information Disclosure
Assistance to Other Nations in Developing New Armaments
Assistance to Other Nations in Improving Their Armaments
Assistance to Other Nations in Manufacturing Materials for Armaments
Detrimental Effects on U.S. Foreign Relations
Any Other National Security Impact or Significance
Detrimental Effects on Classification Program Credibility
BENEFITS OF INFORMATION DISCLOSURE (COSTS OF CLASSIFICATION)
General
Eight Criteria for Evaluating Benefits of Information Disclosure
Benefits to the Progress of the U.S. Program
Benefits to the U.S. Program by Eliminating Classification Costs
Benefits to General Scientific and Technological Progress
Benefits of Technology Transfer
Benefits to U.S. Foreign Relations
Importance of the Information to Public Discussion and Education
Any Other Significant Benefit to the United States
Benefits to the Credibility of the Classification Program
SUMMARY
REFERENCES

Chapter 6. BALANCING INFORMATION-DISCLOSURE RISKS AND BENEFITS

INTRODUCTION
RATIONALE FOR BALANCING INFORMATION DISCLOSURE RISKS AND BENEFITS
National Security Information
Atomic Energy Information
Summary
NEED FOR STANDARDS TO USE IN THE BALANCING PROCESS
OUR LEGAL SYSTEM'S RULES FOR WEIGHING EVIDENCE
BALANCING STANDARDS FOR DECLASSIFYING ATOMIC ENERGY INFORMATION
STANDARDS FOR BALANCING INFORMATION-DISCLOSURE RISKS AND BENEFITS
Proposed Standards for Balancing Information-Disclosure Risks and Benefits
Presumptions in Balancing Information-Disclosure Risks and Benefits
Weighting Factors for Information-Disclosure Risks and Benefits
Requirements for De Minimis Damage to National Security
Classification of Basic Scientific Research
REFERENCES

Chapter 7. CLASSIFICATION LEVELS

INTRODUCTION
CLASSIFICATION LEVEL DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES
Top Secret Information
Secret Information
Confidential Information
PRINCIPLES FOR ASSIGNING CLASSIFICATION LEVELS
General Principles
Classification Because of Effort Required to Get the Information
Reasonable Doubt About Classification Level
CLASSIFICATION LEVELS FOR SCIENTIFIC OR TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Top Secret Scientific or Technical Information
Secret Scientific or Technical Information
Confidential Scientific or Technical Information
REFERENCES

Chapter 8. CLASSIFICATION DURATION

INTRODUCTION
PRINCIPLES FOR DETERMINING THE DURATION OF INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION
General
Classification Duration Defined by a Time Period
Classification Duration Defined by an Event
Classification Duration Based on Probability of Unauthorized Disclosures
Classification Duration of Scientific or Technical Information
REFERENCES

Chapter 9. CLASSIFICATION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF INFORMATION

REFERENCES

Chapter 10. CLASSIFICATION OF COMPILATIONS OF INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF THE TERM COMPILATION
COMPILATIONS OF UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION WITH NO SUBSTANTIVE VALUE ADDED
Description of Compilations with No Substantive Value Added
Classification of Compilations with No Substantive Value Added
COMPILATIONS OF UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION WITH SUBSTANTIVE VALUE ADDED
Description of Compilations with Substantive Value Added
Classification of Compilations with Substantive Value Added
Judicial Decisions on Classification of Compilations with Value Added
COMPILATIONS OF UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION REQUIRING SUBSTANTIAL EFFORT TO COMPILE
CLASSIFICATION LEVEL OF COMPILATIONS OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES

Chapter 11. DECLASSIFYING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

GENERAL
DECLASSIFICATION OF RESTRICTED DATA AND FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA
General
Declassification of Atomic Energy Information Under the Manhattan Project
Declassification Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1946
Declassification Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954
DECLASSIFICATION OF NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Declassification Requirements Contained in Executive Orders
Principles for Declassifying NSI Classified by Executive Order
Principles for Declassifying NSI Transclassified from RD
SUMMARY OF DECLASSIFICATION PRINCIPLES
REFERENCES

Chapter 12. DOWNGRADING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

REFERENCES

Appendixes

A. CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION PRINCIPLES AND TRADE SECRET LAW

B. CLASSIFIABLE AREAS OF NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION

C. CLASSIFICATION OF MILITARY OPERATIONS INFORMATION

D. CLASSIFICATION OF MILITARY WEAPONS INFORMATION

E. CLASSIFICATION OF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION

F. CLASSIFICATION OF FOREIGN RELATIONS INFORMATION

G. CLASSIFICATION DURATION BASED ON THE PROBABILITY OF UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF THE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Volume 3.
CLASSIFICATION MANAGEMENT

Major topics to be discussed:

PREPARING CLASSIFICATION GUIDES
CLASSIFICATION OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES
MAKING DERIVATIVE CLASSIFICATION DECISIONS
CLASSIFICATION EDUCATION
TRAINING AUTHORIZED CLASSIFIERS
PENALTIES FOR UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
PENALTIES FOR UNDERCLASSIFYING INFORMATION
PENALTIES FOR OVERCLASSIFYING INFORMATION

Topics of appendixes:

Classification Management in the Department of Energy
Classification Management in the Department of Defense
Classification Management in other Federal Agencies
The National Classification Management Society
Attributes of an Authorized Classifier

Volume 4.
CONTROL OF CERTAIN UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Major topics to be discussed:

UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION
FOIA EXEMPTIONS--OFFICIAL USE ONLY INFORMATION
EXPORT CONTROLS ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
EXPORT CONTROLS ON NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
OTHER UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
INFORMATION CONTROLLED BY PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

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ACRONYMS

	AEC		Atomic Energy Commission
	AEI		atomic energy information
	CIA		Central Intelligence Agency
	COMSEC		communications security
	CRD		Confidential Restricted Data
	DoD		U.S. Department of Defense
	DOE		Department of Energy
	EO		Executive Order
	FGI		foreign government information
	FOIA		Freedom of Information Act
	FRD		Formerly Restricted Data
	ISOO		Information Security Oversight Office
	MRARs		measured resource area ratings
	NSC		National Security Council
	NSI		National Security Information
	NTIS		National Technical Information System
	OADR		Originating Agency's Determination Required
	OC		DOE Office of Classification
	RD		Restricted Data
	TABs		Technical Abstract Bulletins
	U.S.S.R.	Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
	ADC		Authorized Derivative Classifier

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