APEX CONTROL PROCEDURES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00788R000100140001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 13, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 10, 1980
• Content Type: REQ

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10 March 1980
APEX Control Procedures
A. Transmission and Maintenance
All APEX information will be transmitted between APEX Control
Facilities (ACF) and maintained within the APEX Control Facilities.
B. Classification of Information
The terms APEX, HANDLE VIA APEX CONTROL SYSTEM, APEX Control
Facility, CC LINT, HUMINT, IMAGERY, TEGETICAL,
ALPHA, Product
and Operational are UNCLASSIFIED when standing alone--not connected to
intelligence activities or information.
C. Project Indicators and Codewords
'IV
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if they meet requirements of Executive Order 12065.
2. Codewords identifying highly sensitive collection projects
and project identifiers of designated operational subcompartment
material may be protected at the CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET level.
D. Document Control
1. Responsibility
Control of APEX documents is the responsibility of the
ACO. He will establish procedures compatible with those ~-
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outlined in the APEX Control System Security Manual. He
will ensure that dissemination of the material is made only
to those persons possessing the appropriate APEX Access
Approval.
2. Classification and Marking
(a) The overall classification of a classified document,
whether or not permanently bound, or any copy or reproduction
thereof, will be conspicuously marked or stamped at the top
and bottom of the first page, the title page (if any), and the
outside of the front and back covers (if any). (EXHIBITS 1, 2,
and 3)
(b) Each interior page will be marked or stamped at the
top and bottom according to the highest classification of the page,
including the designation "UNCLASSIFIED" when appropriate.
Alternatively, all interior pages may be marked with the overall
classification of the document. In either case, the classifica-
tion markings of each paragraph or other portion will govern when
the information is used apart from the document. (EXHIBIT 3)
(c) Portions of documents, to include paragraphs, sub-
paragraphs, and titles, will be marked to reflect the level of
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classification, codewords, caveats, and other control
markings or to state that the particular portion is
UNCLASSIFIED. (EXHIBIT 3)
(d) Because major components of some documents may
be used separately, each major component, e.g., annex,
appendix or similar component of a plan, program, or
operations order; attachments and appendixes to a
memorandum or letter, and each chapter of a report or
document should have complete markings to facilitate such
(e) The front cover (if any), title page (if any),
back page and first page of a document will be marked
'HANDLE VIA APEX CONTROL SYSTEM." Each interior page that
contains APEX information will also bear this marking. This
control caveat will appear at the top right of the page.
(EXHIBITS 1, 2, and 3)
3. Codewords
Codewords for operational projects, operational subcompart-
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ments,L___Jmaterial, and product indicators will be placed
on cover sheets, on the top and bottom of the title page (if any),
first page, and each page which contains information requiring
specific codeword/indicator protection. These markings will be
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placed below the classification at the top of the page and
above the classification at the bottom. (EXHIBITS 1, 2, and
3) Interior pages of ADP listings may reflect all codeword
designators contained in the listing.
4. Restrictive/Control Markings
Restrictive and control markings prescribed in DCID 1/7
will be used on the title page, front cover and other applicable
pages to control the dissemination of foreign intelligence or
related material which requires protection. These markings will
be placed on the bottom of the pages. In addition, portion or
paragraph markings will also include abbreviations of these
restrictive indicators. (EXHIBIT 3)
5. Cover Sheets
(a) APEX TOP SECRET publication cover sheets will have on
the reverse side a dissemination control log and a certificate
of destruction. APEX TOP SECRET document cover sheets will have
on the front cover a dissemination control log and a certificate
of destruction. (EXHIBIT 1)
(b) The separate cover sheets for APEX TOP SECRET documents
and publications are:
Operational Compartments (Yellow)
Operational Subcompartments (Brown)
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Product Compartments (Red)
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compartment (Blue) :(Ref ENCLOSURE II.A. through
II.H., APEX Manual)
All SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL, level APEX material will
be covered with a Gray cover sheet, regardless of the
compartmentation of the material. (EXHIBIT 2, and Ref
ENCLOSURE II.I., APEX Manual)
(c) Cover sheets are not required on electrical trans-
missions, computer produced material, raw intelligence, or on
hard copy material that does not leave an APEX facility.
(d) Stocks of cover sheets are available through the
APEX Control Staff.
6. Document Control Numbers
(a) APEX document control numbers will be provided by the
APEX Security Officer (ASO). Originators will assign a control
number to all APEX material for distribution to other offices,
agencies, or commands. Control numbers will be placed in the
upper right hand corner of the cover sheet, front cover (if any),
title page, and first page of each document. These numbers will
be issued sequentially (one up) and will consist of the letter A.
a dash (optional), an eight-digit number, a slant or oblique
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stroke, and the last two digits of the current year (e.g.,
A-12345678/80). (EXHIBITS 1, 2, and 3)
(b) Copy numbers of individual documents will be re-
flected as Copy of on the cover and first page of
the document and be placed immediately below the Control
Number. (EXHIBITS 1 and 2) Copy numbers on finished publica-
tions may be reflected as Copy on the cover sheet, cover
(if any) or the first page. Electrical messages will be
excluded from this requirement for APEX Control Numbers.
(c) Reproduction of hard copy APEX TOP SECRET materials
requires the consent of the originator. SECRET and
CONFIDENTIAL materials may be restricted from reproduction
by the originator by application of the phrase "Reproduction
Requires Approval of Originator" (RPORG). Reproduced copies
will be placed under the same controls and destruction procedures
as the originals. Copies of reproduced APEX documents will be
controlled under the originator's assigned APEX control and
copy number and will be further identified as "Series B."
Each copy will be numbered in sequence beginning again with
one and will show the total number of "Series B" copies
prepared, as follows: "Series B, copy - of - " The original
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will be annotated, just below the control and copy numbers,
"Series B issued (date)." If additional copies are made
from that original, the marking "Series C" will be used as
prescribed above. Subsequent copies from the same original
will follow alphabetically. All copies will be logged and
accounted for just as the originals.
7. Classification Duration and Markings
(a) Having satisfied threshold criteria demanding protection
under the APEX Special Access Control System, APEX materials are
classified for a period of 20.years (except for foreign government
information as defined in E.O. 12065, which will remain protected
for 30 years) because earlier disclosure would damage the national
security. Classification markings will be in accordance with
E.O. 12065, Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) Directive
No. 1, and other implementing directives. These markings will be
placed on the face of each classified document (or they may be
placed on the inside cover of formal publications) and as the last
line or paragraph of electrical transmissions. Original classification
markings must provide:
(1) The identity of the classifying authority
(CLASSIFIED BY, CL BY, or CL).
(2) The office of origin--if not otherwise evident.
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(3) The date for declassification review--indicate
date 20 or 30 years from origination (REVIEW ON, REV1V ON,
REVW, or RVW).
(4) The identity of the TOP SECRET classifier who
authorized the prolonged classification--in this case the
T.S. classifier who determines the material is APEX
(EXTENDED BEYOND 6 YEARS BY, EXT BYND 6 YRS BY, EXT BY.,
EX"T) .
(5) The reason the classification is extended beyond
6 years--enter "APEX 75 F" as the reason (REASON FOR EX-
TENDED CLASSIFICATION, REASON, or RSN).
For Example:
ORIGINAL CL BY
REVIEW ON
EXTEND BEYOND 6 YYRS BY
REASON APEX 75
(b) Documents derivatively classified will also be marked
in accordance with ISOO Directive No. 1 and other implementing
directives.
For Example:
DERIVATIVE CL BY
REVIEW ON
DERIVED FRaT source ocwnent or
classification gui e citation
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8. Transmittal Documents
(a) APEX transmittal documents shall bear the highest
necessary classification, codewords, restrictive and control
markings. When the transmittal document is of a different
classification or different APEX component than the material
being transmitted, the following notation shall be used as a
footnote or postscript: "REGRADE AS (CLASSIFICATION, CODEVORD,
ETC.) WHEN APPENDED (APEX CODE WORD) DOME TS ARE RErIJVED."
Inappropriate codewords, caveats, and designators must be
physically removed.
(b)
Non-APEX transmittal documents will bear the highest
classification of the material being transmitted and un un-
classified caveat stating "CONTAINS (APEX CODEWORD TRIGRAPH
OR DIGRAPH) INFORMATION." Classified codewords and caveats
will not be used on non-APEX transmittal documents. When the
transmittal document is UNCLASSIFIED or of a lower classification
than the material being transmitted, the following notation shall
be applied "REGRADE AS (CLASSIFICATION) 'KTIEN APPENDED APEX DOCUMENTS
ARE REDVED. "
9. Destruction
Destruction will be supervised and witnessed by at least two
APEX-indoctrinated individuals. Certificates of Destruction will
be executed for all APEX TOP SECRET documents destroyed. These
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Certificates will be maintained for five years. Records of
destruction of SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL APEX documents will
be maintained for two years.
10. Control Records and Receipts
(a) Each ACF will keep a record of all incoming or dispatched
APEX documents, as well as reproduced documents. All controls
will be by the originator's APEX Control Number. The ACF will
record the following information for each document:
Originator
Originator Control Number
Classification of Document
Total Number of Copies
Copy Number(s)
Identity of Intended Recipient
Courier Package Receipt Number
Date Received/Dispatched
Destruction Record
(b) A document receipt will accompany each copy of the APEX
document being transmitted outside the ACF. The original of the
document receipt will be signed by the receiving ACO or his designee
and returned to the originating ACO within 30 days.
The originating
ACO will initiate tracer action on any receipt not returned after
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this 30-day period. In those instances where delivery is made
by a courier, a courier receipt will also be utilized. These
courier receipts will be retained for at least six months.
(c) Records of incoming or dispatched TOP SECRET APEX
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the documents are transferred, downgraded or destroyed. Records
for other incoming or dispatched APEX documents will be destroyed
when two years old.
hard copy documents will be destroyed five years after
11. Wrapping
(a) APEX materials will be enclosed for delivery in two
opaque envelopes or otherwise be suitably double-wrapped using
canvas bags, cartons, crates, leather pouches, and so forth.
Containers will be secured with tape, lead seals, and tumbler
padlocks, or by other means which would protect against
surreptitious access.
(b) The inner and outer wrapper will show a pouch address
and a courier receipt number assigned by the sending ACF. The
notation "TO BE OPENED BY THE ACO" will be placed above the pouch
address of the receiving APEX Control Facility on the outer wrapper
and above the Addressee's Name or Title on the inner wrapper.
The proper security classification and the caveat "CON'TAINS APEX-
CONTROLLED MATERIAL" will be placed on the front and back of the
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inner wrapper only. (EXHIBITS 4 and 5) The inner wrapper
will contain the document receipt which will be signed by
the Addressee or the ACO and returned. Transfer of the pouch
containing APEX-controlled material will be covered by having
each recipient sign a courier receipt for the sealed pouch.
12. Delivery
(a) APEX materials to be transmitted from one ACF to another
must be carried either by two, couriers approved for this purpose,
by diplomatic pouch, or by the Armed Forces Courier Service.
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(b) APEX documents may be transported by a single officially
designated courier within U.S. Goverment or military installations
or between ACF's in the same metropolitan area. Couriers, in
these cases, must be specifically appointed by the SIO or his/her
designee to hand carry APEX material in a securely locked briefcase
or sealed pouch marked with the words:
Except for
PROPERTY OF THE U. S. GOVERM~ ~r
DO NOT OPEN
If found call: (telephone number) (collect)
Washington, D. C.
materials, no inner wrapper or container is
required under these circumstances.
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E. APEX Control System Abbreviations
(For use in portion marking documents and/or abbreviating
Access Approval Levels)
HVACS HANDLE VIA APEX CONTROL SYSTEh1
AG-I APEX GE NRAL, PHASE I
AG-II APEX GENERAL, PHASE II
SI
Digraphs or Trigraphs-A Operational Subcompartments
XX-A (with ALPc A)
Operational Digraph or Operational Compartment
Trigraph
RPORG
CCAW1II` I
TECHNICAL
IMAGER'
HUMINF
REPRODUCTION REQUIRES APPROVAL OF
ORIGINATOR (Ref: Paragraph 89,
Government Manual)
These are the unique indicators for use in the APEX Control System.
Other markings, such as classification and DCID 1/7 caveats, will
be used in accordance with procedures prescribed for them.
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