Classified information
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Classified information is information to which access is restricted by law or regulation to particular classes of people. A formal security clearance is required to handle classified documents or access classified data. The clearance process requires a satisfactory background investigation. There are typically several levels of sensitivity, with differing clearance requirements. This sort of hierarchical system of secrecy is used by virtually every national government. The act of assigning the level of sensitivity to data is called data classification.
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Government classification
The purpose of classification is ostensibly to protect information from being used to damage or endanger national security. Classification formalizes what constitutes a "state secret" and accords different levels of protection based on the expected damage the information might cause in the wrong hands.
Classification levels
Although the classification systems vary from country to country most have levels corresponding to the following (from the highest level to lowest):
- Top Secret (TS)
The highest level of classification of material. Such material would cause "exceptionally grave damage" to national security if publicly available.
- Secret
Such material would cause "serious damage" to national security if publicly available.
- Confidential
Such material would cause "damage" or be "prejudicial" to national security if publicly available.
- Restricted
Such material would cause "undesirable" effects if publicly available. Some countries do not have such a classification.
- Unclassified
Technically not a classification level, but is used for government documents that do not have a classification listed above. Such documents can be viewed by those without security clearance.
Depending on the level of classification there are different rules controlling the level of clearance needed to view such information and how it must be stored, transmitted, and destroyed. Additionally, access is restricted on a "need to know" basis. Simply possessing a clearance does not automatically authorize the individual to view all material classified at that level or below that level. The individual must present a legitimate "need to know" in addition to the proper level of clearance.
Atomic information
Government information about nuclear weapons such as nuclear warheads often has an additional marking to show it contains such information.
Sharing of classified information between countries
When a government agency or group shares information between an agency or group of other country’s government they will generally employ a special classification scheme which both parties have previously agreed to honor. For example, sensitive information shared amongst NATO allies has four levels of security classification; COSMIC TOP SECRET (CTS), NATO SECRET (NS), NATO CONFIDENTIAL (NC), and NATO RESTRICTED (NR). A special case exists with regard to NATO UNCLASSIFIED (NU) information. This is NATO property and must not be made public without NATO permission.
Another marking, ATOMAL, is applied to U.S. RESTRICTED DATA or FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA and United Kingdom Atomic information that has been released to NATO. ATOMAL information is marked COSMIC TOP SECRET ATOMAL (CTSA), NATO SECRET ATOMAL (NSA), or NATO CONFIDENTIAL ATOMAL (NCA).
In cases where a country wishes to share classified information bilaterally (or multilaterally) with a country that has a sharing agreement, the information is with the countries it can be shared with. Those countries would have to maintain the classification of the document at the level originally classified (TOP-SECRET, SECRET, etc.).
By country
Image:FialkaManualCoverPage.jpg Most countries employ some sort of classification system for certain government information. For example, in Canada information which the U.S. would classify SBU is called "protected" and further subcategorized into levels A, B, and C.
Australia
Australia also has the classification grade of RESTRICTED. Similar in intent to New Zealand in regards as 'not for general dissemination' it is still a classification level in Federal Government. Background checks are done for this level, although not to the extent as higher classifications.
Australia also has a non-national security based classification system that is used in areas of the Federal Government not directly related to national security matters. This system is used for information whose compromise would not directly threaten the security of the nation, but the release of which could threaten the security or interests of individuals, groups, commercial entities, government business and interests, or the safety of the community
- HIGHLY PROTECTED—which broadly corresponds to SECRET in the national security system.
- PROTECTED —which broadly corresponds to CONFIDENTIAL in the national security system.
- 'X'-IN-CONFIDENCE — which broadly corresponds to RESTRICTED in the national security system.
In addition, documents marked 'CABINET-IN-CONFIDENCE', relating to discussions in Federal Cabinet, are treated as PROTECTED.
New Zealand
Like the United Kingdom, New Zealand uses the Restricted grade, which is lower than Confidential. Information with a Restricted classification is not for general dissemination, but is not classified in the strictest sense of the word - it is often used for controlling the release of reports and other documents until it can be done officially.
People may be given access to Restricted and Confidential information on the strength of an authorisation by their Head of Department, without being subjected to the background vetting associated with Secret and Top Secret clearances. New Zealand's security classifications and the national-harm requirements associated with their use are roughly similar to those of the United States.
In addition to national security classifications there are a number of classifications used within ministries and departments of the government, to indicate, for example, that information should not be released outside the originating ministry.
Because of strict privacy requirements around personal information, personnel files are controlled in all parts of the public and private sectors. Information relating to the security vetting of an individual is usually classified at the Confidential level even though it has no national security significance, because of the detail that is recorded through the vetting process.
People's Republic of China
The Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China (which is not operative in the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao) makes it a crime to release a state secret. However, what constitutes a state secret is very vaguely defined. There is no formal system of classification, nor are there legal requirements limiting what can be declared secret or even prevent information previously released from retroactively being declared state secrets.
The result of this making it possible for the government to use this law to jail journalists who the government considers to be a danger to the ruling governing system.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom uses four levels of classification — RESTRICTED, CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, and TOP SECRET. Those working with such material must have the relevant security clearance and often must sign the Official Secrets Act.
Documents with information about nuclear warheads, fusion, and naval nuclear propulsion must be classified CONFIDENTIAL or higher and include an "Atomic" label. There are further labels for atomic information: "Atomic Conifer" (material and general information on nuclear warheads), "Atomic Principal" (theory and internal design of nuclear warheads), and "Atomic Artificer" (details of the hardness of the Polaris and Trident missiles).
In addition, the UK uses two levels of security classification for messages and memoranda:
- UK EYES ALPHA — intended for the intelligence services, armed forces, and government. Must not to be shown to any non-British citizen.
- UK EYES BRAVO — in addition to the ALPHA categories, also permitted to be shown to the Northern Ireland Office, List X companies, and member countries of the UKUSA Community liaising with the UK Joint Intelligence Committee.
United States
The U.S. classification system is currently established under Executive Order 13292 and has three levels of classification — Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. The U.S. had a Restricted level during World War II but no longer does. Since 1954, the term "Restricted Data" (RD) refers to nuclear technology and is used in addition to level markings. U.S. regulations state that information received from other countries at the Restricted level should be handled as Confidential. A variety of markings are used for material that is not classified under the espionage laws, but whose distribution is limited administratively or by other laws, e.g., For Official Use Only (FOUO), or Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU).
Table of equivalent classification markings in various countries
| Country | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | Restricted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Estrictamente Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Australia | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | Restricted |
| Austria | Streng Geheim | Geheim | Verschluss | Nur für den Dienstgebrauch |
| Belgium (Flemish) | Zeer Geheim | Geheim | Vertrouwelijk | Beperkte Verspreiding |
| Bolivia | Supersecreto or Muy Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Brazil | Ultra Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Bulgaria | Строго секретно | Секретно | Поверително | За служебно ползване |
| Cambodia | Sam Ngat Bamphot | Sam Ngat Roeung | Art Kambang | Ham Kom Psay |
| Canada | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | Restricted |
| Chile | Secreto | Secreto | Reservado | Reservado |
| China, People's Republic of | Jīmì | |||
| China, Republic of | Chichimi | Chimi | ||
| Colombia | Ultrasecreto | Secreto | Reservado | Confidencial |
| Costa Rica | Alto Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | |
| Croatia | Vrlo tajno | Tajno | Povjerljivo | |
| Czech Republic | Prisne Tajne | Tajne | Duverne | Vyhrazene |
| Denmark | Yderst Hemmeligt | Hemmeligt | Fortroligt | Til Tjenestebrug Foreign Service: |
| Ecuador | Secretisimo | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Egypt | Sirri Lilghayeh | SirriKhas | Mehoud | Jidden |
| El Salvador | Ultra Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Ethiopia | Yemiaz Birtou Mistir | Mistir | Kilkil | |
| Finland | Erittäin salainen (TTL I) | Salainen (TTL II) | Luottamuksellinen (TTL III) | Viranomaiskäyttöön (TTL IV)¹ |
| France | Très secret | Secret défense | Confidentiel défense | Diffusion restreinte |
| Germany | Streng Geheim | Geheim | VS-Vertraulich | VS-Nur für den Dienstgebrauch |
| Greece | Άκρως Απόρρητον | Απόρρητον | Εμπιστευτικόν | Περιορισμένης Χρήσης |
| Guatemala | Alto Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Haiti | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | Reserve |
| Honduras | Super Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China | Top Secret , 高度機密 | Secret , 機密 | Confidential , 保密 | Restricted , 內部文件 |
| Hungary | Szigoruan Titkos | Titkos | Bizalmas | |
| India | Param Gupt | Gupt | Gopniya | Pratibanhst/seemit |
| Indonesia | Sangat Rahasia | Rahasia | Agak Rahasia | Terbatas |
| Iran | Bekoliserri | Serri | Kheil Mahramaneh | Mahramaneh |
| Iraq | Sirri Lil-ghayah | Sirri | Khass | Mehdoud |
| Iceland | Algjorti | Trunadarmal | ||
| Ireland (Irish language) | An-sicreideach | Sicreideach | Runda | Srianta |
| Israel | Sodi Beyoter סודי ביותר | Sodi סודי | Shamur שמור | Mugbal מוגבל |
| Italy | Segretissimo | Segreto | Riservatissimo | Riservato |
| Japan | Kimitsu , 機密 | Gokuhi , 極秘 | Hi , 秘 | Toriatsukaichuui , 取り扱い注意 |
| Jordan | Maktum Jiddan | Maktum | Sirri | Mahdud |
| Korea, South | I-Kup Bi Mil | II-Kup Bi Mil | III-Kup Bi Mil | Bu Woi Bi |
| Laos | Lup Sood Gnod | Kuam Lup | Kuam Lap | Chum Kut Kon Arn |
| Lebanon | Tres Secret | Secret | Confidentiel | |
| Mexico | Ultra Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Restringido |
| Netherlands | Stg. Zeer Geheim | Stg. Geheim | Stg. Confidentieel | Dep. Vertrouwelijk |
| New Zealand | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | Restricted |
| Nicaragua | Alto Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Norway | Strengt Hemmelig | Hemmelig | Konfidensiell | Begrenset |
| Pakistan (Urdu) | Intahai Khufia | Khufia | Sigh-E-Raz | Barai Mahdud Taqsim |
| Paraguay | Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Peru | Estrictamente Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Philippines | Top Secret
¹| Secret | Confidential | Restricted | |
| Poland | Ściśle tajne | Tajne | Poufne | Zastrzeżone |
| Portugal | Muito Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Republic of Moldova | De importanţă deosebită | Strict Secret | Secret | Pentru uz de serviciu |
| Russia | Совершенно Секретно | Секретно | не подлежит оглашению (Конфиденциально) | Для Служебного Пользования |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi Top Secret | Saudi Very Secret | Saudi Secret | Saudi Restricted |
| Spain | Maximo Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Difusion Limitada |
| Sweden | Hemlig (thick red border) | Hemlig (thin red border) | ||
| Switzerland | Geheim | Vertraulich | Armee intern | |
| Thailand | Lup Tisud | Lup Maag | Lup | Pok Pid |
| Turkey | Çok Gizli | Gizli | Özel | Hizmete Özel |
| South Africa (English) | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | Restricted |
| South Africa (Afrikaans) | Uiters Geheim | Geheim | Vertroulik | Beperk |
| United Kingdom | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | Restricted |
| United States | Top Secret | Secret | Confidential | |
| Uruguay | Ultra Secreto | Secreto | Confidencial | Reservado |
| Vietnam | Toi-Mat | Mat | Kin | Pho Bien Han Che |
Original source: NISPOM app. B ¹ In addition, Finland uses label Salassa pidettävä, "to be kept secret" for information which is not classified but must not be revealed on some other basis than national security. (E.g. privacy, trade secrets etc.)
Corporate classification
Private corporations often require written confidentiality agreements and conduct background checks on candidates for sensitive positions. [3] In the U.S. the Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibits private employers from requiring lie detector tests, but there are a few exceptions. Policies dictating methods for marking and safeguarding company-sensitive information (e.g. "IBM Confidential") are common and some companies have more than one level. Such information is protected under trade secret laws. New product development teams are often sequestered and forbidden to share information about their efforts with un-cleared fellow employees, the original Apple Macintosh project being a famous example. Other activities, such as mergers and financial report preparation generally involve similar restrictions. However, corporate security generally lacks the elaborate hierarchical clearance and sensitivity structures and the harsh criminal sanctions that give government classification systems their particular tone.
Example
EDS uses three classifications of information. Disclosure of EDS Limited Distribution information could cause serious damage to an affected party. Disclosure of EDS Confidential information could damage an affected party. Disclosure of EDS Internal information (most EDS business information) could be inappropriate or problematic.
See also
External links and references
- US "NISPOM" manual, explaining rules on classified information among other things - full title is "National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual".
- Marking Classified National Security Information ISOO booklet PDF
- Trusted operating systems
- Defence Vetting Agency. Carries out national security checks in the UK.
- The National Security Archive - a collection of declassified documents acquired through the FOIAde:Verschlusssache