Further Amendment to Executive Order 12958, as Amended, Classified National Security Information
Creates New Rules for Classifying and Declassifying Government Information
What it does
Federal agencies must follow a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national security information and implement the order's marking, review, and training requirements.
Real-world impact
- Requires agencies to label and protect classified documents and media.
- Establishes automatic declassification after 25 years with specific exemptions.
- Creates review panels and reporting that affect researchers' access to records.
Topics
Summary
This order updates and replaces prior rules by prescribing a single, government-wide system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national security information, including information related to defense against transnational terrorism. It sets standards for classification levels, markings, durations, and training.
The order creates an Information Security Oversight Office at the National Archives, an interagency appeals panel, rules for automatic 25-year declassification with exemptions, access controls, special access programs, and sanctions, affecting federal agencies, employees, contractors, and researchers.
Questions, answered
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- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
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