Who Designates Whether Information Is Classified And Its Classification Level
Introduction
The classification of information is a critical process in protecting national security. By classifying information, the government can prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, which could be used to harm the United States or its allies.
The authority to classify information is granted by the President of the United States. Executive Order 13526, which establishes the National Security Classification System, defines the three levels of classification:
- Top Secret: Information that, if disclosed, would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
- Secret: Information that, if disclosed, would cause serious damage to national security.
- Confidential: Information that, if disclosed, would cause damage to national security.
The decision of whether to classify information is a complex one. The originating authority, which is the person or entity that creates or receives the information, must weigh the potential harm to national security if the information is disclosed against the need for the information to be shared.
Who Can Classify Information
The authority to classify information is granted to the following individuals and entities:
- The President of the United States
- The Vice President of the United States
- The heads of executive departments and agencies
- Officials designated by the President
The President has the ultimate authority to classify information. The Vice President may also classify information in the performance of executive duties.
The heads of executive departments and agencies have the authority to classify information that is within the scope of their responsibilities. These individuals may delegate their authority to classify information to other officials within their departments or agencies.
The President may designate individuals or entities to have the authority to classify information. These individuals or entities must be approved by the President.
How Is the Classification Level Determined
The classification level of information is determined by the potential harm to national security that would result from its disclosure. The originating authority must consider the following factors when determining the classification level of information:
- The nature of the information
- The sensitivity of the information
- The potential use of the information by adversaries
- The potential impact of the disclosure of the information on national security
The originating authority must document the reasons for the classification level of the information. This documentation should be retained for review by the declassification authority.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the difference between classified information and unclassified information?
A: Classified information is information that is protected from unauthorized disclosure because it could harm national security. Unclassified information is information that is not protected from unauthorized disclosure.
Q: What are the three levels of classification?
A: The three levels of classification are Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential. Top Secret information is the most sensitive and could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if disclosed. Secret information is less sensitive than Top Secret information and could cause serious damage to national security if disclosed. Confidential information is the least sensitive and could cause damage to national security if disclosed.
Q: Who can classify information?
A: The authority to classify information is granted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the heads of executive departments and agencies, and officials designated by the President.
Q: How is the classification level of information determined?
A: The classification level of information is determined by the potential harm to national security that would result from its disclosure. The originating authority must consider the nature of the information, the sensitivity of the information, the potential use of the information by adversaries, and the potential impact of the disclosure of the information on national security.
Conclusion
The classification of information is a critical process in protecting national security. By carefully considering the potential harm to national security, the originating authority can ensure that information is classified at the appropriate level.