Everything about Classified Information totally explained
Classified information is
sensitive 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.
Certain non-government organizations and
corporations also have classified information, normally rather referred to as
trade secrets.
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 British definitions (from the highest level to lowest):
Top Secret (TS) : The highest level of classification of material on a national level. 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 don't have such a classification.
Unclassified: Technically not a classification level, but is used for government documents that don't 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 doesn't 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.
Compartmented information
In addition to the general risk-based classification levels above, often there are additional constraints on access, such as (in the U.S.) Special Intelligence (SI) which protects intelligence sources and methods, No Foreign dissemination (NOFORN) which restricts dissemination to U.S. nationals, and Originator Controlled dissemination (ORCON), which ensures that the originator can track possessors of the information. Documents in some compartments are marked with specific "code words" in addition to the classification level. "Code word" classification can be more restricted than top secret.
Atomic information
Government information about
nuclear weapons such as nuclear warheads often has an additional marking to show it contains such information. The marker ESI or "Extremely Sensitive Information" is applied.
Sharing classified information between countries
When a government agency or group shares information between an agency or group of other country’s government that'll generally employ a special classification scheme which both parties have previously agreed to honor. For example, sensitive information shared amongst
NATO allies has five levels of security classification; from most to least classified, COSMIC TOP SECRET (CTS), FOCAL TOP SECRET (FTS), 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.).
A European defence organisation, codenamed
OCCAR, has three levels of classification: OCCAR SECRET, OCCAR CONFIDENTIAL, OCCAR RESTRICTED.
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By country
Most countries employ some sort of classification system for certain government information. For example, in
Canada information which the U.S. would classify SBU (Sensitive but Unclassified) 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's 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's used in areas of the Federal Government not directly related to national security matters. This system is used for information whose compromise wouldn't 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.
Canada
Background and Hierarchy
There are 2 main type of sensitive information designation used by the Government of Canada:
Classified and
Protected. The access and protection of both types of information is governed by the
Security of Information Act, effective December 24, 2001, replacing the
Official Secrets Act 1981. In order to access the information, a person must have the appropriate level of clearance and a
Need to know.
Hierarchy as follows:
- Top Secret
- Secret
- Protected C
- Confidential
- Protected B
- Protected A
- Unclassified
Special Operational Information
SOI isn't a classification of data
per se, rather it's defined under the
Security of Information Act for which the unauthorized release of such information constitute a higher breach of trust, with penalty of life imprisonment.
SOIs include:
military operations in respect of a potential, imminent or present armed conflict
the identity of confidential source of information, intelligence or assistance to the Government of Canada
tools used for information gathering or intelligence
the object of a covert investigation, or a covert collection of information or intelligence
the identity of any person who is under covert survalliance
encryption and cryptographic systems
information or intelligence to, or received from, a foreign entity or terrorist group
Classified Information
Classified information can be designated Top Secret, Secret or Confidential. These classifications are only used on matters of national security.
Top Secret: This applies when compromise might reasonably cause exceptionally grave injury to the national interest. The possible impact must be great, immediate and irreparable.
; Secret: This applies when compromise might reasonably cause serious injury to the national interest.
Confidential: When disclosure might reasonably cause injury to the national interest.
Protected Information
Protected information are not classified. Protected information pertains to any sensitive information which doesn't relate to national security and can't be disclosed under the access and privacy legislation because of the possible injury to particular public or private interests. Protected C (Extremely Sensitive designated information): is used to protect extremely sensitive information if compromised, could reasonably be expected to cause extremely grave injury outside the national interest. Examples could include bankruptcy, identities of informants in criminal investigations, etc.
; Protected B (Particularly Sensitive designated information): is used to protect information which could cause severe injury or damage to the people or group involved if it was released. Examples include medical records, annual personnel performance reviews, etc.
Protected A (Low-Sensitive designated information): is applied to low sensitivity information which shouldn't be disclosed to the public without authorization and could reasonably be expected to cause injury or embarrassment outside the national interest. Example of Protected A information could include employee number, pay deposit banking information, etc.
Federal Cabinet (Queen's Privy Council for Canada) papers are either designated (ie. overhead slides prepared to make presentations to Cabinet) or classified (draft legislations, certain memos).
People's Republic of China
The Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China (which isn't operative in the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau) makes it a crime to release a state secret. However, what constitutes a state secret is vaguely defined. There is no formal system of classification, nor are there legal requirements limiting what can be declared secret or even preventing information previously released from being retroactively declared state secrets.
France
In France, classified information defined by article 413-9 of the Penal Code. The three levels of military classification are Confidentiel défense (Confidential Defence): information deemed potentially harmful to national defence, or which could lead to uncovering an information classified at a higher level of security.
; Secret défense (secret defence): information deemed very harmful to national defence. Such information can't be reproduced without authorisation from the emitting authority, except in exceptional emergencies.
Très Secret Défense (very secret defence): information deemed extremely harmful to national defence, and relative to governmental priorities in national defence. No service or organisation can elaborate, process, stock, transfer, display or destroy information or protected supports classified at this level without authorisation from the Prime Minister or the national secretry for National Defence. Partial or exhaustive reproduction is strictly forbidden.
Less sensitive information is "protected". The levels are
Non Protégé (unprotected)
Diffusion restreinte administrateur ("administrative restricted information")
Diffusion restreinte ("restricted information")
Confidentiel personnels Sous-Officiers ("Confidential non-commissioned officers")
Confidentiel personnels Officiers ("Confidential officers")
A further mention, "spécial France" (reserved France) restricts the document to French citizens (in its entirety or by extracts). This isn't a classification level.
Declassification of documents can be done by the Commission consultative du secret de la défense nationale (CCSDN), an independent authority. Transfer of classified information is done with double enveloppes, the outer layer being plastified and numbered, and the inner in strong paper. Reception of the document involves examination of the physical integrity of the container and registration of the document. In foreign countries, the document must be transferred through specialised military mail or diplomatic bag. Transport is done by an authorised convoyer or habilitated person for mail under 20 kg. The letter must bear a seal mentionning "PAR VALISE ACCOMPAGNEE-SACOCHE". Once a year, ministers have an inventory of classified information and supports by competent authorities.
Once their usage period is expired, documents are transferred to archives, where they're either destroyed (by incineration, crushing or electrical overtension), or stored.
In case of compromission of a classified information, competent authorities are the Ministry of Interior, the Haut fonctionnaire de défense et de sécurité ("high civil servant for defence and security") of the relevant ministry, and the General secretary for National Defence. Violation of such secrets is an offence punishable with 7 years of imprisonment and a 100 000 Euro fine; if the offence is committed by imprudence or negligence, the penalties are 3 years of imprisonment and a 45 000 Euro fine.
Hong Kong
Security Bureau is responsible for developing policies in regards to the protection and handling of confidential government information. In general, the system used in Hong Kong is very similar to the UK system, developed from the Colonial Hong Kong era.
4 classifications exists in Hong Kong, from highest to lowest in sensitivity:
Top Secret (高度機密)
Secret (機密)
Confidential (保密)
- Temporary Confidential (臨時保密)
Restricted (限閱文件/內部文件)
- Restricted (staff) (限閱文件（人事))
- Restricted (tender) (限閱文件 (投標))
- Restricted (administration) (限閱文件 (行政))
Restricted documents are not classified per se, but only those who have a need to know will have access to such information, in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
New Zealand
Like the United Kingdom, New Zealand uses the Restricted grade, which is lower than Confidential. Information with a Restricted classification isn't for general dissemination, but isn't classified in the strictest sense of the word - it's 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 shouldn't 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's recorded through the vetting process.
Sweden
The Swedish classification has been updated due to increased NATO/PfP co-operation. All classified defence documents will now have both a Swedish classification (Kvalificerat Hemlig or Hemlig), and an English classification (Top Secret, Secret, Confidential or Restricted).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom currently uses four levels of classification — from lowest to highest, they are: RESTRICTED, CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET and TOP SECRET. Those working with such material must have the relevant security clearance and often must sign to confirm their understanding and acceptance of the Official Secrets Act. Government documents without a classification may be marked as "UNCLASSIFIED".
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. 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 isn't classified, but whose distribution is limited administratively or by other laws, for example, For Official Use Only (FOUO), or Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU). The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 provides for the protection of information related to the design of nuclear weapons. The term "Restricted Data" is used to denote certain nuclear technology. Information about the storage, use or handling of nuclear material or weapons is marked "Formerly Restricted Data." These designations are used in addition to level markings (Confidential, Secret and Top Secret). Information protected by the Atomic Energy Act is protected by law and information classified under the Executive Order is protected by Executive privilege.
Table of equivalent classification markings in various countries
| Country |
Top Secret |
Secret |
Confidential |
Restricted |
| Argentina |
Estrictamente Secreto y Confidencial |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Australia |
Top Secret |
Secret |
Confidential |
Restricted |
| Austria |
Streng Geheim |
Geheim |
Verschlußsache |
Nur für den Dienstgebrauch |
| Belgium (Flemish) |
Zeer Geheim |
Geheim |
Vertrouwelijk |
Beperkte
Verspreiding |
| Bolivia |
Supersecreto
or Muy Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Bosnia |
Strogo Povjerljivo |
Tanjno |
Konfidencialno |
Restiktirano |
| 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/Très secret défense |
Secret/Secret défense |
Confidential/ Confidentiel défense |
| Chile |
Secreto |
Secreto |
Reservado |
Reservado |
| China, People's Republic of |
Juémì (绝密) |
Jīmì (机密) |
Mìmì (秘密) |
Neibu(内部) |
| Colombia |
Ultrasecreto |
Secreto |
Reservado |
Confidencial |
| Costa Rica |
Alto Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
|
| Croatia |
Vrlo tajno |
Tajno |
Povjerljivo |
|
| Czech Republic |
Přísně Tajné |
Tajné |
Důvěrné |
Vyhrazené |
| Denmark |
Yderst Hemmeligt |
Hemmeligt |
Fortroligt |
Til Tjenestebrug
Foreign Service:
Fortroligt
(thin Black border}
|
| Ecuador |
Secretisimo |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Egypt |
Sirri Lilghayeh |
Sirri gedan |
khas |
mahzoor |
| El Salvador |
Ultra Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Estonia |
Täiesti salajane |
Salajane |
Konfidentsiaalne |
Piiratud |
| Ethiopia |
Yemiaz Birtou Mistir |
Mistir |
Kilkil |
|
| Finland |
Erittäin salainen (TTL I) |
Salainen (TTL II) |
Luottamuksellinen (TTL III) |
Viranomaiskäyttöön (TTL IV) ¹ |
| France |
Très secret défense |
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/限閱文件 |
| Hungary |
Szigorúan Titkos |
Titkos |
Bizalmas |
|
| India |
परम गुप्त (Param Gupt) |
गुप्त (Gupt) |
गोपनीय (Gopniya) |
प्रतिबंधित/सीमित (Pratibandhit/seemit) |
| Indonesia |
Sangat Rahasia |
Rahasia |
Agak Rahasia |
Terbatas |
| Iran |
Bekoliserri به کلّى سرّى |
Serri سرّى |
Kheili Mahramaneh خيلى محرمانه |
Mahramaneh محرمانه |
| Iraq |
Sirri Lil-ghayah |
Sirri |
Khass |
Mehdoud |
| Iceland |
Algert Leyndarmál |
Leyndarmál |
Þjónustuskjal |
Trúnaðarmál |
| 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, 1급비밀 |
II-Kup Bi Mil, 2급비밀 |
III-Kup Bi Mil, 3급비밀 |
Dae Woi Bi, 대외비 |
| Laos |
Lup Sood Gnod |
Kuam Lup |
Kuam Lap |
Chum Kut Kon Arn |
| Latvia |
Sevišķi slepeni |
Slepeni |
Konfidenciāli |
Dienesta vajadzībām |
| Lebanon |
Tres Secret |
Secret |
Confidentiel |
|
| Lithuania |
Visiškai Slaptai |
Slaptai |
Konfidencialiai |
Riboto Naudojimo |
| Malaysia |
Rahsia Besar |
Rahsia |
Sulit |
Terhad |
| Mexico |
Ultra Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Restringido |
| Netherlands |
Zeer Geheim |
Geheim |
Vertrouwelijk |
Beperkt verspreidt |
| New Zealand |
Top Secret |
Secret |
Confidential |
Restricted |
| Nicaragua |
Alto Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Norway |
STRENGT HEMMELIG |
HEMMELIG |
KONFIDENSIELT |
BEGRENSET |
| Pakistan (Urdu) |
Intahai Khufia |
Khufia |
Sigh-e-Raz |
Barai Mahdud Taqsim |
| Pakistan (English) |
Top Secret |
Secret |
Confidential |
Restricted |
| Paraguay |
Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Peru |
Estrictamente Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Philippines |
Top Secret |
Secret |
Confidential |
Restricted |
| Poland |
Ściśle tajne |
Tajne |
Poufne |
Zastrzeżone |
| Portugal |
Muito Secreto |
Secreto |
Confidencial |
Reservado |
| Romania |
Strict Secret de Importanţă Deosebită |
Strict Secret |
Secret |
Secret de serviciu |
| Russia |
Особой важности
(вариант: Совершенно Секретно (Sovershenno Sekretno)) |
Совершенно секретно
(вариант: Секретно (Sekretno)) |
Секретно
(вариант: Не подлежит оглашению
(Конфиденциально) (Ne podlezhit oglasheniyu (Konfidentsial'no)) |
Для Служебного Пользования (ДСП)
(Dlya Sluzhebnogo Pol'zovaniya) |
| Saudi Arabia |
Saudi Top Secret |
Saudi Very Secret |
Saudi Secret |
Saudi Restricted |
| Singapore |
Top Secret |
Secret |
Confidential |
Restricted |
| Slovak Republic |
Prísne tajné |
Tajné |
Dôverné |
Vyhradené |
| Slovenija |
Strogo tajno |
Tajno |
Zaupno |
Interno |
| Spain |
Secreto |
Reservado |
Confidencial |
Difusión Limitada |
| Sweden |
Kvalificerat Hemlig (KH); Hemlig/Top Secret (H/TS) |
Hemlig (H); Hemlig/Secret H/S) |
Hemlig/Confidential (H/C) |
Hemlig/Restricted (H/R) |
| Switzerland |
|
Geheim / Secret |
Vertraulich / Confidentiel |
Dienstlich / Interne au service |
| Thailand |
Lup Tisud, ลับที่สุด |
Lup Maag, ลับมาก |
Lup,ลับ |
| 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 |
Tối Mật |
Mật |
Kín |
Phổ Biến Hạn Chế |
| NATO |
Cosmic Top Secret |
NATO Secret |
NATO Confidential |
NATO Restricted |
Original source: NISPOM Appendix B (External Link)
¹ In addition, Finland uses label Salassa pidettävä, "to be kept secret" for information which isn't 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. (External Link) 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 (for example "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.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Classified Information'.
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