301-371-1052 (SL3) - Protect Classified Information and Material
Standards: Safeguarded classified information and material to prevent unauthorized disclosure 100 percent of the time.

1.   Identify classified material.

Note.  Information is any knowledge that can be communicated or documentary material, regardless of its physical form or characteristics, that is owned by, produced by or for, or is under the control of the U.S. Government.  Unauthorized disclosure is a communication or physical transfer of classified information to an unauthorized recipient.

a. List the security classification levels.

(1)  Confidential:  Information that, if disclosed to unauthorized persons, could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national security.

(2)  Secret:  Information that, if disclosed to unauthorized persons, could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to the national security.

(3)  Top Secret:  Information that, if disclosed to unauthorized persons, could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.

b. Define original and derivative classifications.

(1)  Original classification—an initial determination that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure.

(2)  Derivative classification—the incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form information that is already classified, and marking the newly developed material consistent with the classification markings that apply to the source information.

2.   Locate and read the declassification and downgrading instructions, which appear on a classified document. Define declassification and downgrading.

a. Declassification—the authorized change in the status of information from classified information to unclassified information.    

(1)  At the time of original classification, the original classification authority shall attempt to establish a specific date or event for declassification.

Note.  Information that already has been declassified and released to the public cannot be reclassified.

(2)  If a specific date or event for declassification cannot be determined, then information shall be marked for declassification 10 years from date of the original decision.

(3)  The original classification authority may extend the duration of classification for a successive period, not to exceed 10 years at a time.

(4)  At the time of original classification, the original classification authority may exempt for declassification within 10 years specific information that the unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national security.

(5)  Information shall be declassified as soon as it no longer meets the standards for classification.

b. Downgrading—a determination by a declassification authority that information classified and safeguarded at a specific level shall be classified and safeguarded at a lower level.

3.   Review information for required identification and markings.

Note.  Classification markings will be in letters larger than those used in the rest of the text.

a. Check the document for required markings:

(1)  Ensure the overall classification of the document is marked, stamped, or affixed permanently—

(a)   On the top and bottom of the outside front cover,

(b)   On the title page,

(c)   On the first page,

(d)   On the outside of the back cover.

(2)  Each interior page, except those left blank, will be marked on the top and bottom according to content, to include unclassified.

(3)  Each section, part, paragraph, or similar portion of a classified document will be marked to show the level of classification of the information contained by showing the appropriate classification symbol.

(4)  Charts, maps, and drawings will bear the appropriate classification markings for the legend, title, or scale block.  The higher of these markings shall be inscribed at the top and bottom of each such document.

(5)  Photographs, films (including negatives), recordings, and their containers will be marked with the specific level of the information contained within.

(6)  Information used to simulate classified or unclassified material or documents will be marked clearly to indicate the actual unclassified status of the information (for example SECRET for Training Purposes Only).

b. Examine all classified documents for completeness; ensure no parts or pages are missing.

c. Ensure the following appears on the face of all classified information:

(1)  The overall classification of the document should be stamped top and bottom.

(2)  The identity, by name or personal identifier, and position of the original classification authority.

(3)  The agency and office of origin.

(4)  Declassification instructions.

(5)  Reason for classification.

4.   Protect classified information through restricted access.

a. Define access—the ability or opportunity to gain knowledge of classified information.  Access is based on—

(1)  Security clearance.  Ensure that personal security clearance is equal to, or exceeds, the classification level of the material required to perform official duties.

(2)  Need-to-know. Ensure that a determination has been made by an authorized holder of classified information that the prospective recipient requires access to specific information to perform or assist in a lawful and authorized government function.

Note.  No one has a right to have access to classified information solely by virtue of rank or position.

b. Prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to classified material.

(1)  Keep all classified documents under constant observation when removed from storage.

(2)  Keep all documents face down or covered when not in use.

(3)  Place one of the following cover sheets on all classified material:

(a)   SF 705 for Confidential information.

(b)   SF 704 for Secret information.

(c)   SF 703 for Top Secret information.

c. Define Special Access Program—a program established for a specific class of classified information that imposes safeguarding and access requirements that exceed those normally required for information at the same classification level.

5.   Safeguard classified information and material.

a. Use proper precautions to protect classified information and material:

(1)  Safeguard classified information when temporarily departing the work area.

(2)  Prevent display of classified information in public places.

(3)  Use the following procedures when working papers containing classified information are created:

(a)   Date the document.

(b)   Mark the document with the words "working papers."

(c)   Mark each page, top and bottom, according to the content classification.

(d)   Bring working papers under control as a finished document when—

(i)    Retained more than 90 days from date of origin.

(ii)   Released outside the originator's agency.

(iii)  Transmitted electrically or electronically.

(iv)  Filed permanently.

(v)   Papers contain top secret information.

6.   Comply with security regulations when discussing classified information.

a. Do not discuss classified and/or sensitive information on an unsecured telephone.

b. Use the following procedures when presenting a classified briefing:

(1)  Ensure that the briefing area has been cleared to the highest level of material to be discussed.

(2)  Check the attendance roster to ensure all personnel are cleared and have a need-to-know.

(3)  Establish a sign-in roster at the main entrance to the briefing area and control access at all other entrances.

(4)  Ensure that all training aids are marked with security classification according to their content.

(5)  Inform the audience of the security classification of the briefing and the policy concerning note taking at the beginning of the briefing.

(6)  Repeat the security classification at the end of the briefing.

c. Ensure that automated information systems, including networks and telecommunications systems, that collect, create, communicate, compute, disseminate, process, or store classified information must have controls that—

(1)  Prevent access by unauthorized persons.

(2)  Ensure the integrity of the information.

7.   Protect classified information during transport.

a. Do not remove classified information from official premises without proper authorizations.

b. Protect classified information when transporting outside of a secured area.

(1)  Address classified information to an official government activity or DOD contractor with a facility clearance and not to an individual.

(2)  Pack classified information in such a manner that the text will not be in contact with the inner envelope or container.

(3)  Attach or enclose a receipt, DA Form 3964, in the inner envelope or container for all SECRET and TOP SECRET information.  CONFIDENTIAL information requires a receipt only if the originator deems it necessary.

(4)  Double wrap classified information in opaque envelopes or similar wrappings.

(a)   Mark the inner envelope with the overall classification of the contents, and any special instructions.

(b)   Mark the inner and outer envelope with the complete sender's and receiver's address.

(c)   Do not mark the outer envelope with any indications of the contents or the classification.

(d)   Do not display classified material in public places while transporting.

(e)   Do not store classified material in any detachable storage compartment, such as automobile trailers or luggage racks while