Author: Marty Faga

Thank you for participating in the Transforming Classification Blog.  The Blog is now closed for comments.  The Board appreciates all of the comments and submissions that were received. We will continue to evaluate the comments and submissions you posted on the blog as we consider what changes to make on how best to transform the classification system in … Continue reading Thank You

On April 26th the Public Interest Declassification Board invited you to submit your ideas on transforming the national security classification system.  The Board received the following papers.  They appear in the order in which they were received: Steven Aftergood, Federation of American Scientists: "Set a Mandatory Performance Goal to Catalyze Transformation" Harry Cooper: "Transforming the … Continue reading The Public Weighs In

The Public Interest Declassification Board will host a Public Forum on Thursday, May 26, 2011 on Transforming the National Security Classification System.  The meeting will focus on the Board’s eight draft White Papers on transforming classification, the White Papers submitted by the public for the Blog, and additional ideas you have on transforming the classification … Continue reading May 26th Public Forum on Transforming Classification

Now that you have had the opportunity to review and comment on the Board’s draft proposals for transforming the classification system, we would like to invite you to submit your own specific ideas.  Submissions should: Provide transformative but plausible ideas and actionable implementation strategies Promote innovation and especially address the challenges of classified digital data … Continue reading Submit Your Own Transformation White Paper

The PIDB would like to invite you to post your comments on two new proposals for transforming the classification system. The new topics concern: Paper 5: Stewardship of Our Classified History Paper 6: Information Security and Access in the Electronic Environment A forthcoming paper will address historical Formerly Restricted Data. Additionally, be sure to mark … Continue reading Two New Papers

Background Individuals generating or working with classified information are required to obey established procedures for accessing, annotating, handling, and safeguarding that information.  The system is managed much as it was before the advent of digital communication.  Protocols governing these transactions were developed at the beginning of the Cold War and reflect the paper-based world in … Continue reading Information Security and Access in the Electronic Environment

The PIDB looks forward to hearing your comments on the following new papers: Paper 3:  Regularizing the Declassification Review of Classified Congressional Records Systematize and prioritize the declassification review of Legislative records at the NDC Paper 4:  Discretionary Declassification and Release of Contemporary National Security Information Encourage policymakers to consider the advantages of not classifying … Continue reading Three New Papers

Transforming Classification: An Introduction Welcome to Transforming Classification, a blog sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board. President Obama has charged the Board with designing a more fundamental transformation of the security classification system. In response to his request, we are proposing new solutions that address the shortcomings of the current system and tackle the … Continue reading About Transforming Classification

To strengthen the quality of discussion we ask that you follow the following Blog Etiquette: Always ask yourself before you post: Is this advancing the conversation? Does it add new relevant information? Does it raise a concern with a proposal? Does it suggest a way to improve a proposal? Does it express an opinion on … Continue reading Blog Etiquette