Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel
The Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) provides the public and users of the classification system with a forum for further review of classification decisions.
The protection of the national security requires that some of the work of the U.S. Government be done outside the purview of its citizenry. In order to ensure an informed public while simultaneously protecting certain information, checks and balances are needed over the classification system.
Establishment:
The Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, or "ISCAP," was created under Executive Order 12958, "Classified National Security Information," when it was signed on April 17, 1995. The ISCAP held its first meeting in May of 1996 and has met regularly since that time.
Functions:
Section 5.3 of E.O. 12958, as amended, directs the ISCAP to perform three critical functions:
- Classification Challenges: deciding on appeals by authorized persons who have filed classification challenges under Section 1.8 of E.O. 12958, as amended;
- Exemptions from Automatic Declassification: approving, denying or amending agency exemptions from automatic declassification, as provided in Section 3.3 of E.O. 12958, as amended; and
- Mandatory Declassification Review Appeals: deciding on mandatory declassification review appeals by parties whose requests for declassification under Section 3.5 of E.O. 12958, as amended, have been denied at the agency level.
Membership:
The ISCAP is a six member body consisting of senior level representatives appointed by the Departments of State, Defense, and Justice, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Archives, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Each representative appoints a working level liaison to the ISCAP. The President appoints the ISCAP's Chair from among its members. The Director of ISOO serves as its Executive Secretary, and ISOO staff provides program and administrative support for the panel.
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