classification [English]

Syndetic Relationships

InterPARES Definition

n. ~ 1. The process of assessing whether a document or other information asset contains sensitive information and assigning a level indicating the risk associated with that information. – 2. The process of assigning some thing to a specific class within a hierarchy, based on the thing's characteristics.

General Notes

The fact that a document is classified indicates that it – at one time – contained sensitive information. However, classification alone does not indicate the degree of sensitivity. Classified documents are assigned a classification level, which may range from confidential to top secret.

Other Definitions

  • EO 13526 (†787 § 6.1): The act or process by which information is determined to be classified information.
  • Reitz 2004 (†763 p. 145): The process of dividing objects or concepts into logically hierarchical classes, subclasses, and sub-subclasses based on the characteristics they have in common and those that distinguish them.
  • Reitz 2004 (†763 p. 146 (s.v. "classified")): The status of a document to which access s restricted to a few authorized individuals within a military or government agency, research institution, private corporation, or other organization, usually because it contains highly sensitive information that might be misused by unauthorized persons. – Also refers to a reference tool (catalog, index, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.) organized according to a classification system, usually by subject or some other arrangement based on content, as opposed to a strictly alphabetical or numerical listing of entries.

Citations

  • EO 13526 (†787 ): Throughout our history, the national defense has required that certain information be maintained in confidence in order to protect our citizens, our democratic institutions, our homeland security, and our interactions with foreign nations. Protecting information critical to our Nation's security and demonstrating our commitment to open Government through accurate and accountable application of classification standards and routine, secure, and effective declassification are equally important priorities. (†2013)
  • EO 13526 (†787 § 1.2): Classification Levels. (a) Information may be classified at one of the following three levels: (1) "Top Secret" shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe. (2) "Secret" shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe. (3) "Confidential" shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe. (b) Except as otherwise provided by statute, no other terms shall be used to identify United States classified information. (c) If there is significant doubt about the appropriate level of classification, it shall be classified at the lower level. (†2014)