The American Civil Liberties Union commends the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) for recognizing the need to transform our broken national security classification system and for creating a public forum to solicit new and innovative ideas from the American people. The ACLU, a non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and … Continue reading Mike German, American Civil Liberties Union: “Reducing Overclassification and Protecting the Public’s Right to Know”
Bill Burr and Nate Jones, National Security Archive: “Three Ideas for Transformation: Classification Tax, Equity Reform, and Sunshine Dates”
The Public Interest Declassification Board has offered some excellent proposals to improve the broken security classification system. To reverse the disturbing trends of massive overclassification and decreasing openness, to put declassification activities on a firmer budgetary foundation, and to focus resources toward protecting true national security secrets, the National Security Archive proposes levying a classification … Continue reading Bill Burr and Nate Jones, National Security Archive: “Three Ideas for Transformation: Classification Tax, Equity Reform, and Sunshine Dates”
Ann Levin, CACI: “Self-Declassifying Documents: A System for Letting the Data Identify When It is Ready for Declassification”
Background The creation of the National Declassification Center (NDC) by President Obama in December 2009 specifies the centralization and streamlining of all declassification processes with the objective of shortening the time to declassify a document. This enormous task mandates the use of the newest technology to assist with streamlining processes as well as creating consistent, … Continue reading Ann Levin, CACI: “Self-Declassifying Documents: A System for Letting the Data Identify When It is Ready for Declassification”
Elizabeth Goitein, Brennan Center for Justice: “Reducing Overclassification Through Accountability”
A “fundamental transformation” of the classification system, as proposed by President Obama, is long overdue. Experts of all political stripes have agreed for decades that overclassification is rampant and that it carries unacceptable costs—to national security, to representative democracy, and to the public fisc. The extent and persistence of the problem underscore the need for … Continue reading Elizabeth Goitein, Brennan Center for Justice: “Reducing Overclassification Through Accountability”
May 26th Public Forum on Transforming Classification
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
Submit Your Own Transformation White Paper
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
A Half Life for Historical Formerly Restricted Data (FRD)
Background Classified information concerning the technical design and manufacture of atomic weapons and the production or use of special nuclear material in the production of energy is categorized as Restricted Data (RD) by the Department of Energy (DOE) under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Formerly Restricted Data (FRD) is a separate category of information … Continue reading A Half Life for Historical Formerly Restricted Data (FRD)
Two New Papers
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
Stewardship of Our Classified History
The Problem The current records management system does not ensure those records of historical significance are identified in such a way as to promote their timely review for declassification and public release. With greater reliance on digital records to decide policies and conduct missions, there is a great danger that, unless changes are made, our … Continue reading Stewardship of Our Classified History
Information Security and Access in the Electronic Environment
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