DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION CATEGORIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00679A000100010010-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 12, 2000
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: December 10, 1953
• Content Type: REGULATION

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ProsolmEL DIRECTOR /1110RANDUN no. 99 -53
SUBJECT
ItEfIE=E:
10 December 1953
Document Classification Categories
a. Executive Order #10501/ Safeguarding Official Information
in the Interests of the Defense of the United States
b.
igned 5 Noveiiiiiiiiiiiiifective 15 December 195))
A y Notice (27 November 1953)
1. Effective 1 ecember 1953, documents will be classified in
accordance with the to of the subject Executive Order.
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2. The use Of three 'ossification categories is authorized under
Executive Order 10501: Top ecrety Secret, and Confidential. The Restricted
classification category is o celled as of the effective date cited Dhow.
The subject Executive Order de s the three authorized classification
categories as follows:
a. "Top Secret: &veep as may be expressly provided by statue
the use of 1115-Mriaication op Secret shall be authorized, by appro-
priate authority, only for defe e information or material which
eequiree the highest degree of p toction. The Top Secret classifi-
cation shall be applied only to t information or material the
defense aspect of which is 'Jammu: and the unauthorized disclosure
of which could result in exeoptio grave damage to the Nation
such as leading to a definite break i diplomatic relations affecting
the defense of the United States, an a r3d attack:against the United
States or its alien, a war, or the eon romise of military or defense
plane, or intelligence operations, or so antifio or technological
developments vital to the national defens
"Secret: Except as may be express provided by statute,
the use of Wralassification Secret shall be authorized, by
authority, only for defense information or materiel the un-
authorized disclosure of which could result in rious damage to the
Nations such as by jeopardizing the internatio relations of the
United States, endangering the effectiveness of a srogran or policy
of vital ieportance to the national defense, or co irciaing important
military_ or defense plans, scientific or technologic developments
important to the national defense, or information rev idling important
In lligence operations.n
Ce "Confidential: Except as may be expressly pro ded by
statute, tgii6675f7E3 classification Confidential shall be authorizede
by appropriate authority, only for defense information or material the
unauthorized disclosure of which could be prejudicial to the defense
Interests of the Nation,'
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;-.or;c11 r'aich is cur:reTitly classified Restricted will retain
c:I.asei.A.:iention unless f..t becomes necessary to release such material
o7,,tsideth.4,(7,nnoy. Prior to its release, the material will be reviewed
of determining uhen,ter there sho0Jd be an upgra ing of
ciassication or complete declassification.
of the term "F?enrrity Informatica" I.Jith the olassifi-
ciou 5Yeries has been cancejled by Executive Order 10301. It is
-:reCow) eufy;ostod that the wor'Is "Security Information" be removed from
sAIns vbermer possible in order to keep the cost e new stamps
zvi a %i7:tirum.
accordance with Note Paragraphs 3 e (1)
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,,1:oaph (3), the followinr; delez 1.:Acne o atriaority Are ma_e:
a, .ho authority to classify original documents is delegated
-'?0 D5.71alon and Staff Ohlee,; and their deputies, to Branch Chiefs
?1(si ,I.reir deputies, And to mczabers of thn 4.tanadia.%s Onlce of VA0
,r.7,7hsi Director. However, the originator e? any document shaves
3z; responsibility in bis Anitial recoqmendZ6ion as to its
-)-.,;nr classification.
Th responsibility Cor the continuing review of classified
for the purpose of declassifying or dungrading is assigned
ti c:on and Staff Chiefs anq their deputies, to jranch Chiefs
deputies,. and to aaml-ers of the immediate Office of thn
Director,
c. The resoonsibilitis cf Assistant CIp_seification Control
c delegated to the Chief, Research Aranch, Plans,
ir.th and Developraent Saff. The Deputy Chief, Ttesearch
will serge as bis e,ternate.
en and Staff ChiGfs will ensure that all er,ployees become
Tith the new s7stsm documtnt classification.
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4..ctirr,, Personnel Directo?
Approved For Release 2000/08/16 : CIA-RDP80-00679A000100010010-5