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In 2009, Executive Order (E.O.) 13526, Classified National Security Information, required agencies to complete a Fundamental Classification Guidance Review in order to provide a more transparent and open Government. Given the scope of the task, the E.O. gave agencies over 2 years to complete the review.
Given the scope of the task, the E.O. gave agencies over 2 years to complete the review. The Office of Classification just completed this comprehensive review. The Office of Classification evaluated 67 Headquarters (HQ) classification guides and 11 HQ classification bulletins to identify over 2,800 topics that identify National Security Information (NSI). Thirty-six subject area working groups examined the NSI topics, using almost 200 subject matter experts.
The resulting unclassified report provides as much information as possible about how classification functions at DOE. The report also provides a detailed explanation of how the Office of Classification evaluated the information and the reasons why certain information still needs to be protected. This transparency will provide the public with a better understanding of the DOE classification program.
In addition, the report summarizes over 100 recommendations that can improve the efficiency of the classification system. HS-60 identified information that could be declassified, and many areas where classification guidance could be consolidated, eliminated, or clarified. This streamlining will result in improved classification guidance that better explains what information requires protection and what information does not. Better classification guidance will improve our ability to get the public access to DOE documents in classified subject areas.
You can view the report at http://www.hss.doe.gov/classification/reports.html.
