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(U//FOUO) The New NSA Classification Manual -- What's Changed?
FROM:
SID Classification Advisory Officer, SIGINT Policy (S02L1)
Run Date: 02/22/2005
Here's the first article in a new series by
SID's Classification Advisory Officer.
She'll fill you in on changes to classification policy and explain how they affect you. (U//FOUO)
(U//FOUO) The new NSA/CSS classification manual (Policy Manual 1-52) is in effect (as
announced late last year in EXECmessage-88 ). It makes several major changes in long-standing
classification practices. I've highlighted a couple for your attention:
(U//FOUO) In the past, NSA used the declassification marking "X1", which meant the
information was exempt from declassification for 10 years because release of the
material would "reveal an intelligence source, method, or activity, or a cryptologic system
or activity." Now NSA has chosen to mark documents with a defined "declassify
date," namely, 25 years from the date of the classification manual ( 20291123 ). Note
that you should use this date only -- not the date 25 years from the time any new
document is created. There are good reasons why this is being handled this way -there's a Q&A at
; with further
info.
(U//FOUO) Furthermore, COMINT classification/declassification guides are required
for all systems, plans, programs, projects, operations, equipment, sub-compartments or
special access programs. These classification guides are to be updated by November
2005. After that time, information that isn't covered by a classification guide will be
considered UNCLASSIFIED. These new guides will replace Annex C
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108