301-371-1052 (SL3) - Protect Classified Information and Material

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
transporting.

8.   Protect classified information during transmission.

a.
Transmit classified
information and material according
to the security classification
level, as specified in AR 380-5.
Transmit classified material by-

(1) 
Approved courier
services.

(2) 
U.S.
military personnel.

(3) 
Government
employees.

(4) 
DOD
contractors.

(5) 
U.S.
Postal Service.

(6) 
Electronic
transmission over secure lines
using encryption.

b.
Ensure the appropriate
contracting officer has authorized
transmission in writing.

c.
Ensure TOP SECRET and
SECRET classified information remain
in constant custody and protection
of the courier at all times.

9.   Safeguard classified material when in storage.

a.
Store classified
information under conditions
adequate to prevent unauthorized
access.

b.
Store typewriter ribbons,
computer disks, notes, and similar
materials that are classified or
used to process classified
information, in a locked GSA
approved security container, when
not under the personal control and
observation of an authorized person.

c.
Follow correct procedures
when locking material in a GSA
approved security container:

(1) 
Complete SF 702
correctly, with the proper date,
time, and initials.

(2) 
Turn the
"OPEN/CLOSED" sign on
the front of the security
container to the
"CLOSED" position.

(3) 
Ensure that another
person checks the container to
make sure it is locked and
initials the SF 702.

10. Use the following procedures when discovering an open or
unattended security container.

a.
Keep the container or
area under guard or surveillance.

b.
Notify one of the persons
listed on Part 1 of SF 700 attached
to the inside of the security
container drawer. 
If one of these individuals
cannot be contacted, the duty
officer, security manager, or other
appropriate official will be
notified.

11. Report possible compromise of classified information. List
individual responsibilities in cases
of suspected compromise:

a.
Any person having
knowledge of the loss or possible
compromise of classified information
will immediately report it to their
security manager, S2, or commanding
officer (CO).

b.
Any person who discovers
classified information out of proper
control will take custody of the
information, safeguard it, and
immediately report to their security
manager, S2, or CO.

c.
The security manager, S2,
or CO will initiate a preliminary
inquiry to determine the
circumstances surrounding the loss
or possible compromise of classified
information and establish one of the
following:

(1) 
The loss or compromise
of classified information did not
occur.

(2) 
The loss or compromise
did occur but the compromise
reasonably could not be expected
to cause damage to the national
security.

(3) 
The loss or compromise
of classified information did
occur and that the compromise
reasonably could be expected to
cause damage to the national
security.

d.
The security manager or
S2 will report the circumstances of
the compromise to the appropriate
authority:

(1) 
HQDA (DAMI-CIS) when
dealing with SECRET and TOP SECRET
information.

(2) 
Commander when dealing
with CONFIDENTIAL information.

e.
A further investigation
may be initiated if warranted.

12. Use proper procedures when destroying classified information.

a.
Destroy classified
information in a way sufficient to
preclude recognition or
reconstruction.

(1) 
Destroy classified
information by burning, melting,
chemical decomposition, pulping,
pulverizing, cross-cut shredding,
or mutilation.

(2) 
Burning is the
preferred method of destroying
classified information.

b.
Complete DA Form 3964, Record
of Destruction, for TOP SECRET
information. 
Records shall be dated and
signed at the time of destruction.

1.   Identified classification of classified material.

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—

2.   Located and read the declassification and
downgrading instructions.

—

—

3.   Marked documents with all required identification
and markings, or corrected incorrect
markings.

—

—

4.   Restricted access to classified information:

—

—

a.
Determined the
requirement for access before
releasing classified material to
other persons:

(1) 
Determined the
need-to-know.

(2) 
Determined security
clearance.

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

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

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

(3) 
Took appropriate
measures when uncleared personnel
entered the work area.

5.   Placed appropriate cover sheets on classified
material.

—

—

6.   Safeguarded classified information and material.

—

—

a.
Safeguarded classified
information when temporarily
departing the work area.

b.
Prevented
display of classified information in
public places.

c.
Used
correct procedures when creating
classified working papers.

7.   Complied with security regulations when discussing
classified information.

—

—

a.
Refrained from classified
and/or sensitive information on an
unsecured telephone.

b.
Used
correct security procedures when
presenting a classified briefing.

c.
Used
proper controls when using automated
information systems.

8.   Protected classified information during transport.

—

—

9.   Identified reference delineating correct
transmission procedures.

—

—

10. Locked classified material in an appropriate security
container, 
when not in use.

—

—

a.
Locked and/or checked
security container.

b.
Initialed
and dated SF 702.

c.
Turned
sign to "CLOSED" position.

11. Took appropriate action
upon discovery of possible compromise
of classified information.

—

—

12. Completed DA Form 3964, and determined best destruction method
for documents of various
classifications.

—

—

a.
Listed three methods of
destruction.

b.
Identified
the two standards of destruction.

AR
380-5