Category: Public Engagement

Published on March 28, 2022, by the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC), Occasional Paper 2303, Over-classification: How Bad Is It, What’s the Fix?, highlights examples of over-classification that increasingly undermine U.S. national security; offers ideas for reforms to reduce over-classification; and advocates for appropriate funds to support the staff and operations of the Public Interest … Continue reading NPEC Paper Offers Ideas to Reduce Over-classification; Touts Greater Role for the PIDB

In Congressional testimony on March 23, 2022, former executive secretary of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) and director of the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) (2012-2016) John Fitzpatrick called for legislation that would mandate the designation of “a single, responsible official” by the president to lead reform of the classification system through the implementation … Continue reading Former PIDB Executive Secretary Calls for Legislation to Modernize Government Classification

On December 6, 2022 the Hudson Institute hosted an event, co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), the American Bar Association, and the Federalist Society, on “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities.” The event opened with PIDB’s chair Ezra Cohen and vice chair Alissa Starzak introducing the topic and providing the board’s … Continue reading Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities

On Tuesday, December 6, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., a discussion by Ezra Cohen and Alissa Starzak, chair and vice chair of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), will open an in-person event on “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities,” hosted by the Hudson Institute at 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Following the opening by Mr. … Continue reading “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities” – ABA and Federalist Society Co-Sponsor Event including PIDB Members at Hudson Institute, December 6 from 9:00-11:00 AM

A letter sent to President Biden in May 2022 by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) urged the President and the National Security Council to address “long-overdue reform demands” by revising Executive Order (E.O) 13526, Classified National Security Information. In addition to calling for modernization, the letter emphasizes the need for “meaningful investments” in … Continue reading Senators Moran and Wyden Urge the President to Change Executive Order on Classification and Declassification

Last week, the Wall Street Journal and several other news outlets published stories on the Director of National Intelligence’s concerns about over-classification. The members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) agree with Director Avril Haines’s remarks about the national security harm caused by over-classification and the need to modernize the classification and declassification system. … Continue reading The PIDB Responds to the Director of National Intelligence’s Concerns about Over-Classification and the Need to Modernize the U.S. Classification and Declassification System

The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) has noted that the executive branch has been developing and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies for a variety of use cases at an accelerated rate. However, federal agencies too often develop these innovations without internal or interagency coordination. Recommendations of the PIDB have long emphasized … Continue reading New DOD Position Realigns AI and Data Management — Can Support Improved Classification and Declassification

Two news reports published last week highlighted last year’s recommendations as well as ongoing activities of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) to promote the modernization of classification and declassification systems. Both reports cited the PIDB’s continuing advocacy for new policies and processes to reduce over-classification. (The PIDB’s 2020 Report to the President recommended policies … Continue reading Press Coverage of PIDB Efforts to Reduce Over-Classification, Increase Government Transparency