[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 32, Volume 1, Parts 1 to 190]
[Revised as of July 1, 1998]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 32CFR159a.10]

[Page 801]
 
                       TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
              CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
 
PART 159a--INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM REGULATION--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart B--General Provisions
 
Sec. 159a.10  Policies.

    (a) Classification--(1) Basic Policy. Except as provided in the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, E.O. 12356, as implemented by the 
ISOO Directive No. 1, and this part, provides the only basis for 
classifying information. It is the policy of the Department of Defense 
to make available to the public as much information concerning its 
activities as possible consistent with the need to protect the national 
security. Accordingly, security classification shall be applied only to 
protect the national security.
    (2) Resolution of Doubts. Unnecessary classification and higher than 
necessary classification should be avoided. If there is reasonable doubt 
about the need to classify information, it shall be safeguarded as if it 
were classsified ``Confidential'' pending a determination by an original 
classification authority, who shall make this determination within 30 
days. If there is reasonable doubt about the appropriate level of 
classification, it shall be safeguarded at the higher level of 
classification pending a determination by an original classification 
authority, who shall make this determination within 30 days. Upon a 
classification determination, markings shall be applied in accordance 
with subpart E of this part.
    (3) Duration. Information shall be classified as long as required by 
national security considerations. Each decision to classify requires a 
simultaneous determination of the duration such classification must 
remain in force or that the duration of classification cannot be 
determined.
    (b) Declassification. Decisions concerning declassification shall be 
based on the loss of the information's sensitivity with the passage of 
time or upon the occurrence of a declassification event.
    (c) Safeguarding. Information classified under this part shall be 
afforded the level of protection against unauthorized disclosure 
commensurate with the level of classification assigned under the varying 
conditions that may arise in connection with its use, dissemination, 
storage, movement or transmission, and destruction.