Selected Documents on Secrecy and Security Policy
Defense
DoD Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Administrative Security Manual, DoD Manual 5105.21, 3 volumes, October 19, 2012, Incorporating Change 1, Effective April 5, 2018
- Volume 1: Administration of Information and Information Systems Security, Incorporating Change 2, Effective October 6, 2020
- Volume 2: Administration of Physical Security, Visitor Control, and Technical Security, Incorporating Change 2, Effective November 2, 2020
- Volume 3: Administration of Personnel Security, Industrial Security, and Special Activities, Incorporating Change 2, Effective September 14, 2020
DoD Information Security Program, DoD Manual 5200.01, 4 volumes, February 24, 2012
- Volume 1: Overview, Classification, and Declassification, Incorporating Change 2, July 28, 2020
- Volume 2: Marking of Classified Information, Incorporating Change 4, Effective July 28, 2020
- Volume 3: Protection of Classified Information, Incorporating Change 3, Effective July 28, 2020
- Volume 4: Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Incorporating Change 1, Effective May 9, 2018 (canceled and superseded by DoD Instruction 5200.48)
- Security Review Follow-on Actions, memo from the SecDef, June 30, 2023
- Countering Unwanted Foreign Influence in Department-Funded Research at Institutions of Higher Education, June 29, 2023
- Immediate Review and Assessment of Department of Defense Information Security Procedures, memo from the Secretary of Defense, April 17, 2023
- Review of Department of Defense Security Policies and Procedures, April 14, 2023
- DoD Guidance on Safeguarding Responsibilities Regarding Classified Information, memo from the Deputy Secretary of Defense, April 12, 2023
- Reducing the Backlog in Legally Required Historical Declassification Obligations of the Department of Defense, DoD report to Congress, March 2021
- Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Numbers: End of Fiscal Years 1962-2020, October 5, 2021
- Defense Security Enterprise Strategy FY 2021-2025, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence and Security), July 2021
- Briefing Card on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Report to Congress, OSD(PA), May 17, 2021
- Simplifying, Centralizing, and Unifying the Established Administrative Process for Unfavorable Security Clearance Eligibility Hearings and Appeals, Including National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Contractor Employee Unfavorable Sensitive Compartmented Information Eligibility Hearings and Appeals, USD (I&S), January 14, 2021
- Reinforcing Operations Security and the Importance of Preventing Unauthorized Disclosures, memorandum from Secretary of Defense Esper, July 20, 2020
- Public Engagement Coordination, memorandum from Secretary of Defense Esper, July 20, 2020
- SecDef Esper on "Further Public Engagement", memo from the Asst Secretary of Defense, July 26, 2019
- SecDef Mattis on "Our Responsibility to Safeguard our Nation", October 3, 2017
- The Consolidated NGA (CoNGA) Security Classification Guide (SCG)-- NGA briefing slides, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, June 7, 2017
- Security Controls at DoD Facilities for Protecting Ballistic Missile Defense System Technical Information (Redacted), DoD Inspector General Report No. DODIG-2019-034, December 10, 2018
- Clarifying Guidance for Granting Access to Special Access Programs, SAPCO memorandum, July 26, 2018
- Instructions for Developing Security Classification Guides, DoD Manual 5200.45, April 2, 2013, Incorporating Change 2, Effective September 15, 2020
- Afghan National Defense and Security Forces Data Classified or Restricted for SIGAR's October 2017 Quarterly Report, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, October 31, 2017
- Memorandum of Agreement between DoD and DHS Regarding Cybersecurity and Cyberspace Operations, January 17, 2017
- Follow up to DoD Evaluation of Over-Classification of National Security Information, DoD Inspector General report, December 1, 2016
- DoD Security Lexicon, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, June 13, 2013
- Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information or Controlled Unclassified Information on DoD Information Systems, Deputy Secretary of Defense memorandum, August 14, 2014
- Report on DoD Plans to Adopt Continuous Evaluation (CE) and Insider Threat Capabilities, report to Congress, April 2015
- Draft FOIA exemption (not approved) for Military Tactics, Techniques and Procedures, submitted by DoD for the FY2016 defense authorization act, May 2015
- Draft FOIA exemption (not approved) to Reinstate Exemptions Removed by 2011 Milner Decision, submitted by DoD for the FY2016 defense authorization act, May 2015
- Assessment of DoD Processes in Support of Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Determinations and Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) Mitigation, DoD Inspector General report, June 10, 2014
- United States Central Command Classification Guide, Regulation 380-14, 15 June 2012
- Safeguarding Unclassified Controlled Technical Information, memorandum from the Secretary of Defense, October 10, 2013 (via AFPS)
- DoD Evaluation of Over-Classification of National Security Information (Redacted), DoD Inspector General, September 30, 2013
- Defense Security Enterprise Strategic Plan, Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence), 2013 (h/t Public Intelligence)
- A Standard User's Guide for Inspectors General Conducting Evaluations Under Public Law 111-258, the "Reducing Over-Classification Act", DoD Inspector General, January 22, 2013
- Summary Report of FY2011 Inspections on Security, Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and Technology Protection Practices at DoD Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Facilities, DoD Inspector General, September 28, 2012
- Notice to DoD Employees and Contractors on Protecting Classified Information and the Integrity of Unclassified Government Information Technology Systems, Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence), June 7, 2013
- Identification of Classified Information in an Unclassified System and an Unsecured DOD Facility, DoD Inspector General Report No. D-2010-038, January 25, 2010 (released May 2013)
- DoD Inspector General to Begin Review of Over-Classification, letter to defense officials, October 2, 2012
- DoD Inspector General to Review Processes for Releasing Sensitive Information to the Media, letter to defense officials, September 24, 2012
- Deterring and Preventing Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information, memorandum from the Secretary of Defense, October 18, 2012
- Assessment of Security Within the Department of Defense - Security Policy, DoD Inspector General report DoDIG-2012-114, July 27, 2012
- Final Report of DoD's Fundamental Classification Guidance Review (FCGR), June 27, 2012
- Security of Unclassified DoD Information on Non-DoD Information Systems, DoD Instruction 8582.01, June 6, 2012
- Report on Sensitive Compartmented Information Leaks in the Department of Defense, DoD Inspector General Report No. 2012-056, February 27, 2012
- DoD Third Interim Report on the Fundamental Classification Guidance Review, February 16, 2012
- DoD Inspector General to Evaluate Classification Policy at DoD Agencies, memorandum to agency heads, October 26, 2011
- DoD Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Program, final rule, Federal Register, December 27, 2011
- Addresses for DoD Mandatory Declassification Review Requests, Federal Register, December 27, 2011
- DoD Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Program, DoD Manual 5230.30-M, December 22, 2011, Incorporating Change 2, Effective August 13, 2019
- National Security System Classification, Air Force Audit Agency Audit Report, 18 November 2011
- Delegation of Top Secret Original Classification Authority, May 5, 2011
- Assessment of Security Within the Department of Defense - Training, Certification, and Professionalization, DoD Inspector General report, October 6, 2011
- Interim DoD Report on Fundamental Classification Guidance Review, July 29, 2011
- DoD Tasking on Fundamental Classification Guidance Review, May 19, 2011
- Defense Critical Infrastructure Program (DCIP) Security Classification Manual (SCM), DoD Manual 3020.45-M, Volume 3, February 15, 2011
- Notice to DoD Employees and Contractors on Protecting Classified Information and the Integrity of Unclassified Government Information Technology (IT) Systems, Under Secretary of Defense, January 11, 2011
- US Pacific Command Denies Request for Records on Fundamental Classification Guidance Review, January 3, 2011
- Initial DoD Assessment of Wikileaks Release of Classified Afghan War Documents, letter from Secretary Gates to Senator Levin, August 16, 2010
- DoD Memo on Interaction with OSD/PA on Release of Official Information, September 2, 2010
- Interaction with the Media, Secretary of Defense memorandum, July 2, 2010
- OSD Mandatory Declassification Review Policies and Practices, September 28, 2009 (h/t National Security Counselors)
- Office of the Secretary of Defense Mandatory Declassification Review Standard Operating Guidelines, September 28, 2009
- Presidential Congressional & Policy Changes to FOIA & Privacy Programs, briefing to the Army FOIA, Privacy and Records Management Conference, November 2009
- Army Automatic Declassification Program, briefing to the Army FOIA, Privacy and Records Management Conference, November 2009
- Derivative Classification Requirements 2009, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
- Non-Disclosure Agreement for Defense Officials Involved in FY2010 Budget Preparation, n.d.
- Tunnels Since 1990, US NORTHCOM Joint Task Force North, November 2008
- "Security Standard", the official newsletter of the MARFORPAC Command Security Branch, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, January 2009
- Suspension of Removable Flash Media, November 2008
- Protection of Controlled Unclassified Information on DoD Information Systems Connected to the Internet, Department of Defense Chief Information Officer John G. Grimes, September 22, 2008
- U.S. Army's Concerns with Protection of Controlled Unclassified Information, Defense Industrial Base Cyber Security Task Force Information Paper, August 15, 2008
- Policy for Department of Defense Interactive Internet Activities, Deputy Secretary of Defense, June 8, 2007
- Limiting Restrictions on Fundamental Research, memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense (AT&L), June 26, 2008
- Department of Defense and Intelligence Community Commitment to Converge Authorization and Attribute Services Initiatives, Strategic Letter of Intent, April 21, 2008
- UCMJ Jurisdiction Over DoD Civilian Employees, DoD Contractor Personnel, and Other Persons Serving With or Accompanying the Armed Forces Overseas During Declared War and in Contingency Operations (pdf), memorandum from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, March 10, 2008
- Transition to New Markings for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), memorandum from the DoD Deputy Chief Information Officer, December 28, 2007
- Intelligence Agencies Exempted from Reporting Unclassified Contract Data, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, December 7, 2007
- Change to the Special Access Program Oversight Committee, memorandum from DepSecDef Gordon England, December 3, 2007
- Access to the Department of the Navy Retrieval and Analysis of Navy Classified Information (RANKIN) Security Classification Guides via the SIPRNet, Chief of Naval Operations, September 5, 2007
- Disclosure Policy on Release of Classified and Controlled Unclassified Information to Foreign Representatives and International Organizations, Dept of the Army, 2 August 2007
- Navy Policy Regarding Obsolete Declassification Markings, Chief of Naval Operations, June 18, 2007
- Global Broadcast Service Security Classification/Declassification Guide, Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space, April 29, 2007
- Declassification Marking Guidance for DoD Special Access Program (SAP) Classified Material, Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) James R. Clapper, Jr., April 26, 2007
- US Army Web Access Blocking and Usage Practices, April 4, 2007
- Reporting Requirements for Electronic Spillages of Classified Information, Chief of Naval Operations, March 12, 2007
- Navy Declassification Status Report, briefing to the Secretary of the Navy Declassification Oversight Committee, January 24, 2007
- Navy Guidance on Temporary Access to Classified Information, Chief of Naval Operations, January 26, 2007
- Comparison of Restrictive Security Controls, from Collateral to SCI, Dept of Defense chart, 2006
- Standardized Methodology for Making Classification Decisions, Department of the Army (G2), October 25, 2006
- DoD Freedom of Information Act Improvement Plan for Executive Order 13392, 14 June 2006
- Implementation of New Classification Marking Requirements, Department of the Air Force, May 30, 2006
- Limitations on Public Release and Disclosure of Information About Improvised Explosive Device Efforts, Secretary of the Navy, April 2006
- Missile Defense Program Update, Lt. Gen. Trey Obering, Missile Defense Agency, March 20, 2006
- Protection of Information Regarding Operational Deployments, Missile Defense Agency, November 22, 2005
- Application of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to the Treatment of Detainees, memorandum from Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, July 7, 2006
- F-117A Safety Supplement: Aerospace Emergency Rescue and Mishap Response Information, U.S. Air Force Technical Manual, 19 May 2005 (courtesy of Stephen I. Schwartz)
- Operations Security (OPSEC) in the Department of Defense, memorandum for senior Department officials from DepSecDef Gordon England, May 17, 2006
- DoD Personnel Security Clearance Process at Requesting Activities, inspector general audit report, April 19, 2006 (2 MB PDF)
- DoD Implementation of Executive Order 13392 on the Freedom of Information Act, memorandum for senior department officials, February 1, 2006
- DoD Public Affairs Guidance for Embedded Reporters, February 2003
- Redacting with Confidence: How to Safely Publish Sanitized Reports Converted From Word to PDF, National Security Agency, December 13, 2005
- BRAC: Suppressed Internal Papers Disclosed, August 2005
- DoD Policy for Biometric Information for Access to U.S. Installations and Facilities in Iraq, Deputy Secretary of Defense, 15 July 2005
- Technological, Social, and Economic Trends That Are Increasing U.S. Vulnerability to Insider Espionage, PERSEREC, May 2005
- Reporting of Counterintelligence and Security Indicators by Supervisors and Coworkers, PERSEREC, May 2005
- Safeguarding of BRAC-Related Databases and Information, memo from DepSecDef Gordon England, May 27, 2005
- Use of the "Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals" (NOFORN) Caveat on Department of Defense (DoD) Information, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Memorandum, May 17, 2005
- Oversight of DoD Special Access Programs, briefing to the Defense Science Board, January 27, 2005
- Security Classification Marking Instructions, memo from USD(I) Stephen Cambone, September 27, 2004 to promote international sharing of controlled information.
- Security Classification Policy for Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles and Maneuverable Reentry Vehicles, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 5220.01A, 1 July 2004
- Interim Information Security Guidance, updates to DoD Directive 5200.1-R (1.2 MB PDF file)
- Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), PowerPoint briefing
- Department of Defense Overprint to the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual Supplement, Rev. 1, 1 April 2004 (3.2 MB PDF file)
- Letter of Transmittal from Carol A. Haave, DUSD (Counterintelligence and Security), 30 March 2004
- Sensitive Security Information (SSI), an interpretation of SSI regulations as they apply to the US Coast Guard, March 26, 2004.
- Export Controls: Export-Controlled Technology at Contractor, University, and Federally Funded Research and Development Center Facilities, DoD Inspector General report, March 25, 2004
- DoD Security Clearance Adjudication and Appeal Process, Dept of Defense Deputy Inspector General for Intelligence, December 12, 2003
- DoD Policy Limiting Inspector General Data Posted on the Inspector General Website, memo to employees, December 5, 2003
- Use of Cross-Cut Shredders for Destruction of Classified Information, OUSD, August 25, 2003
- Cleared DoD Employees at Risk - Report 2: A Study of Barriers to Seeking Help by Suzanne Wood and Lynn F. Fischer, Defense Personnel Security Research Center, January 2002
- DMS GENSER Message Security Classifications, Categories, and Marking Phrase Requirments, DISA, March 19, 1999
- Improving Supervisor and Coworker Reporting of Information of Security Concern, by Suzanne Wood and Joanne C. Marshall-Mies, Defense Personnel Security Research Center, January 2003.
- DoD Web Site Administration, Policies and Practicies, DoD Inspector General audit report, July 19, 2002.
- Army Web Site Administration, Policies and Practices, DoD Inspector General audit report, June 5, 2002.
- White Paper on Proposed Security Controls on Defense Research, by Don J. DeYoung, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, April 2, 2002.
- NIMA Guide to Marking Classified Documents, National Imagery and Mapping Agency, October 4, 2001.
- Public Opinion on Selected National Security Issues, 1994-2000 (PDF), by Suzanne Wood, Defense Personnel Security Research Center, October 2001.
- Implementing New Restrictions on Granting Security Clearances ("Smith Amendment"), memo from DepSecDef Wolfowitz, June 7, 2001
- Report to Congress on Declassification Status within the Department of Defense, February 27, 2001.
- Defense Personnel Security Research Center, an overview of its activities.
- Pentagon General Counsel Review of Allegations Regarding Dr. John Deutch (redacted version), January 19, 2001.
- Pentagon Inspector General Report on Allegations of Breaches of Security by Dr. John M. Deutch, August 28, 2000.
- Charter of the Joint DoD-DOE Policy Group for the Protection of Nuclear Weapons Design and Use Control Information, August 28, 2000.
- Allegations Relating to the Security Controls on Two Air Force Programs (Big Safari and Senior Year), DoD Inspector General Audit Report, December 16, 1999
- Safeguarding Classified NATO Information, USAREUR Regulation 380-15, 30 November 1999 (1.7 MB)
- Trends in Public Attitudes Towards Government Security Programs, An Analysis of General Social Survey Data, 1994-1998, by Lynn F. Fischer, DoD Security Research Center, August 1999.
- Operations Security Impact on Declassification Management Within the Department of Defense, prepared for OSD(C3I) by Booz Allen & Hamilton, February 13, 1998.
- NISPOM Supplement, DoD 5220.22-M-Sup. 1, February 1995
- Public Attitudes Towards Security and Counterespionage, an updated 1996 survey performed for the Department of Defense
- White Paper: Classification and Declassification within the Department of Defense, DoD Inspector General, May 1995
- BMDO Countermeasures Integration Program Security Classification Guide, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, March 1995
- Special Access Program Oversight Committee, Information Bulletin, November 1994.
- Specifications & Standards -- A New Way of Doing Business, memo from Secretary of Defense William J. Perry, June 29, 1994
- Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Secrecy, 1 July 1970 (a classic!)
- Public Attitudes Towards Security and Counterespionage, as of 1994
- The Timber Wind Special Access Program, Department of Defense Inspector General Audit Report No. 93-033, December 16, 1992
- Report to the Secretary of Defense by the Committee on Classified Information, the "Coolidge Committee" report, November 8, 1956
- A Proclamation Respecting Soldiers Absent Without Leave by President Lincoln, March 10, 1863