STAFF STUDY: PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF(Sanitized) SYSTEM CLEARANCES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP66B00560R000100080084-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 15, 2000
• Sequence Number: 84
• Content Type: MF

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief /Special Security Center
FROM 25X1 A
: Staff Stud : Proposed Consolidation of
25X1 A Clearances
In accordance with your instructions to study the possibilities of
combining closely related clearances within the , the 25X1A
following Staff Study is submitted. This Study deals only with the Security
aspects of the various programs and in no way concerns their technical
management.
There are a number of closely related clearances operating with-
25X1A in the The number is not fixed and may be expected
to increase on a continuing basis as satellite reconnaissance systems
become more sophisticated. The problem therefore, is whether it is
feasible to consolidate these clearances along functional and adminis-
trative lines at this time.
A. In view of the extreme importance of satellite photography to
the National Security it is evident that there will be an on-going program
in this field with a continuing addition of new programs and projects.
B. Many of the new programs and projects will represent refine-
ments and improvements of existing systems.
C. To continue to add a new compartmented clearance for each
new program, project, or refinement will result in a clearance structure
which tends to become more and more cumbersome and time consuming
in its administration.
D. The present system of closely compartmented and fragmented
clearances is best for Industry in order to hold down the knowledge of
GROUP 1
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our degree of success and to protect the Industrial component's specific
proprietary interests.
III. FACTS BEARING ON PROBLEM
A. The basic security policy for the NRO, as well as Recommen-
dation 14 of the USIB Security Committee favors a procedure wherein
the information on the same general subject, which is maintained with-
in one or more systems of compartmentation, should be combinedwith
similar information into one system whenever possible.
B. Basic reasons that satellite covert photography of the USSR
is considered extremely sensitive include:
1. Political and foreign policy considerations of
the U. S. Government require it. Participation in covert
satellite photography has not been admitted because of
adverse implications which could be drawn by the Soviet
Bloc based on their interpretation of International Law
and the United Nation's Charter.
2. The degree of success of our satellite photo-
graphy program, as well as our sources andmethods
of obtaining this vital intelligence information, must
be protected in accordance with existing Executive Orders
and statutory laws.
25X1A
C. The proposed consolidations are intended for clearances of
Government employees only. Clearances for industrial personnel would
continue under close compartmentation as is in effect at present.
D. At the present time the four operational programs concerning
satellite photography, namely CORONA, ARGON, LANYARD, and
- employ similar techniques, hence they couldbe consolidated
into one composite clearance. Such a clearance could be called
1. With respect to the proposed 25X1A
clearance:
a. The basic difference between the
four existing operational, or near operational
25X1A
T on SECS
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projects, lies primarily in technical sophisti-
cation.
b. It is questionable that the variations
in the state of the art between the four programs
is now sufficiently sensitive to preclude consoli-
dation of all the operational satellite photographic .
projects into one project clearance.
c. Consolidation of the four operational
clearances will facilitate cross-fertilization of
technical information, will promote ease in
admitting a person to any of the four programs
after "must know" is established, and will reduce
the volume of records keeping.
d. A consolidation of CORONA andARGON,
each numbering approximately _ clearances in 25X1A
the U.S. Government has been agreed upon within
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
E. The four separate clearances for access to satellite photography
research and development studies, namely 25X1 A
and are similar in that they are not operational, or near operation-
al, and may not develop beyond the study phase; hence they could be con-
solidated into one composite clearance. Such a clearance could be called
25X1A
1. With respect to the proposed-clearance:
a. When a project study consolidated into
25X1A the proposed . clearance achieves operation-
al capability it would be transferredfrom - 25X1A
25X1A tom
25X1A
b. A clearance for - indicates the
individuals clearability, without further investi-
gation or evaluation, for all research anddevelop-
mental clearances within the 25X1A
upon the establishment of the specific "must know".
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F. The two separate clearances which have been in existence for
access to the processing facilities of satellite photography projects,
25X1A namely could be consolidated into one
composite clearance. Such a clearance could be called 25X1A
25X1A
1. With respect to the proposed clearance:
a. The consolidation of these two photographic
processing clearances would result in a significant
reduction of the existing administrative compartmentation.
G. The responsibility for determining the "must know" for the
25X1A proposed clearances and their 1
component projects would remain as set forth in previous issuances.
It has been established that satellite photography is necessary for the
National Defense. It follows, therefore, that satellite photography programs
will become more productive and more sophisticated. As a result an increased
number of clearances for research and developmental activities and for
operational activities should be expected.
It is believed that the proposed consolidations of closely related
clearances will result in distinct advantages to the National Reconnaissance
Program. Inasmuch as the proposed clearances 25X1A
will be utilized for U. S. Government employees only, all persons holding
these clearances will have met the standards for access to TOP SECRET
information, based upon a uniform criteria. Therefore, these persons will
be clearable for any of the related project clearances upon the determination
of "must know".
(1) 23 July 1962 Agreement,
NRP Security Policy No.
25X1A
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There has been some confusion regarding the nature and status of
many of the existing clearances under the The pro- 25X1A
posed consolidation would combine all research and developmental studies
25X1A under a -clearance. Controlled cross-fertilization is of para-
mount importance to the components working on related, although separate,
25X1A projects. A - clearance will make it possible for a person to be
granted immediate access to related information in the 25X1A
25X1A Programs upon the establishment of "must know",
which must precede briefing on any individual study.
Some of the research and developmental studies will mature into the
production planning stage, necessitating a further increase in the number of
required clearances. At that time, under the proposed consolidation of
closely related clearances, the project would be transferred to the-
category.
At the present time a consolidation of CORONA and ARGON has been
25X1A agreed upon within The relative technElogical similarity of
25X1A CORONA, ARGON, and LANYARD is apparent. It is believed
that the consolidations of these four closely related clearances into a
25X1A - clearance will be a logical development with advantages to each
component.
The proposed consolidations would not in any way abrogate the "must
know" policy established for the National Reconnaissance Program.
A. The review and analysis of the satellite photography programs
and clearance structure, on which this Staff Study is based, has developed
no security objections to the implementing of the proposed consolidations
at this time.
25X1A
B. The overall advantages of the proposed consolidations are be-
lieved to far outweigh any unique or primarily administrative disadvantages.
C. Utilizing three basic clearances, i. e. , nd 25X1A
25X1A within the instead of ten will, in itself, result 25X1A
in a significant savings in administrative processing.
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25X1A
D. A person holding a clear-
ance will be automatically eligible for access to any of the separate
projects under the specific basic clearance, after "must know" has been
established. This should reduce processing time delays andimprove
efficiency.
E. Program and Project Directors will find it easier to exchange
technical information as necessary and as may be deemed to be of mutual
benefit.
F. The proposed consolidations, coupled with the emphasis on
the strict application of the "must know" principle, will implement Recom-
mendation 14 of the USIB Security Committee regarding a review of
existing compartmentation to ensure that essential security safeguards do
not result in vital information being withheld from officials and organizations
with urgent National Security responsibilities.
A. It is recommended that as the initial step in consolidating closely
related clearances:
25X1A
1. The four separate clearances for access to non-industry
satellite photographic operational information, namely CORONA,
ARGON, LANYARD, and be consolidated into a single 25X1A
clearance called 25X1A
2. The four separate clearances for access to satellite
photographic research and development studies, namely - 25X1A
be consolidated into a single
clearance called and 25X1A
3. The two separate clearances for access to the
processing facilities of satellite photographic projects,
25X1A namely be consolidatedinto
a single clearance called 25X1A
B. It is recommended that an individual approved for a 25X1A
25X1A clearance be considered eligible for access to
information regarding any of its component projects under the following
conditions:
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a. With respect to the - clearance, 25X1A
a Program Director may brief an individual on .any
of the component projects whether under his control
or under the control of another Program Director. In the
latter case he will exercise discretion in determining
the "must know" and will advise the other Program
Director of his action as soon as possible.
b. With respect to the - clearance, 25X1A
Program Directors will maintain the responsibility
for the "must know" determination on all studies and
projects under their administration.
c. With res ect to the clearance, 25X1A
25X1A will maintain the responsibility
for the "must know" determination.
2. The individual's briefing on the component projects would
be only to the extent necessary for the effective performance of
his assigned duties.
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