Classified information is sensitive information that might result in the loss of an advantage or level of security if disclosed to others who might have low or unknown trustability, or undesirable intentions. Usually, access to classified information is restricted by law or regulations applicable to particular classes of persons. Pursuant to 75 FR 51609, 51612(c), “classified national security information” or “classified information” means information that has been determined pursuant to Executive Order 13526, or any predecessor or successor order, to require protection against unauthorized disclosure, and is marked to indicate its classified status when in documentary form.
Further, pursuant to 18 USCS Appx § 1 (a) “classified information”, as used in Classified Information Procedures Act means “any information or material that has been determined by the U.S. government pursuant to an Executive order, statute, or regulation, to require protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national security and any restricted data, as defined in paragraph (r.) of section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954”.
In the, U.S., Executive Order 13526 dictates a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national security information, including information relating to defense against transnational terrorism. Although the democratic principles of the U.S. require that the American people be informed of the activities of their government, the national defense has required that certain information must be maintained in confidence in order to protect U.S. citizens, U.S. democratic institutions, U.S. homeland security, and U.S. interactions with foreign nations. Accordingly, protecting information that is critical to a nation’s security and demonstrating a nation’s commitment to open government through accurate and accountable application of classification standards and routine, secure, and effective declassification are equally of important priorities[i].
In addition, the Classified National Security Information Program (Program) was also designed to safeguard and govern access to classified national security information shared by the federal government with state, local, tribal, and private sector (SLTPS) entities.
[i] 75 FR 707.
