Classified information in the United Kingdom

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Classified information in the United Kingdom 1

Classified information in the United Kingdom

Classified information in the United Kingdom, now called Protectively Marked Information, is a system used to

protect information from intentional or inadvertent release to unauthorised readers. The system is organised by the

Cabinet Office and is implemented throughout central and local government and the critical national infrastructure.

The system is also used by private sector bodies which provide services to the public sector.

The system was formerly included in theManual of Protective Security (MPS) which specified the impact of release

and protection level required for each classification. Departments issued localised versions of the content of the MPS

as appropriate to their operational needs.

The Security Policy Framework (SPF) now supersedes the Manual of Protective Security[1]

and contains the primary

internal protective security policy and guidance on security and risk management for HM Government Departments

and associated bodies. It is the source on which all localised security policies are based and has been made publicly

available.

System of classificationThe system uses five levels of classification, supplemented with pigeonhole keywords:.

[2]The keyword must be

placed in all capital letters in the centre of the top and bottom of each page of a classified document. In descending

order of secrecy these are:

Top secret

Information marked as Top secret is that which whose release is liable to cause considerable loss of life,

international diplomatic incidents, or severely impact ongoing intelligence operations. Prior to the Second

World War, the highest level was "Most Secret"; it was renamed so that the UK and US operated to a

consistent system.

Secret

This marking is used for information whose side-effects may be life-threatening, disruptive to public order or

detrimental to diplomatic relations with friendly nations.

Confidential

The effects of releasing information marked as Confidential include considerable infringement on personal

liberties, material damage to diplomatic relations, or to seriously disrupt day-to-day life in the country.

Restricted

Information marked as Restricted is at a level where the release of the material will have effects such as

significant distress to individuals, adversely affecting the effectiveness of military operations, or to

compromise law enforcement.

Protect

Such information will cause distress to individuals, cause financial loss or improper gain, prejudice the

investigation or facilitate the commission of a crime or disadvantage government in commercial or policy

negotiations with others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Security_Policy_Frameworkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Critical_National_Infrastructurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cabinet_Officehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Classified_information


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Handling

Access to protectively marked material is limited by a system of security clearance.

Protectively marked material must be accounted for in a manner appropriate to its classification level and disposal

must be in accordance with the SPF. The act of destruction or disposal is included in the accounting process.

Descriptors

Protectively marked material may also be marked with a descriptor, or privacy marking, which identifies sensitivities

around distribution and handling.

Examples of descriptors include, but are not restricted to:

Budget

Commercial

Honours

Management

Medical

Personal

Policy

Staff

Visits (domestic or foreign royalty and ministers)

Nationality caveat

Protectively marked material may bear a nationality caveat, a descriptor defining which nationality groups it may be

released to. By default material in the UK is not caveated by nationality, the classification being sufficient

protection.

Examples of nationality caveats include, but are not limited to:

UK EYES ONLY

CANUKUS EYES ONLY Canadian, UK or US citizens.

AUSCANNZUKUS Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and USA (the UKUSA Community, also known as

the "Five-Eyes").

Codewords

Dissemination of already protectively marked material may be further limited only to those with a legitimate need to

know using compartmentalisation by use of codewords. Examples of compartmented material would include

information about nuclear warheads, fusion, and naval nuclear propulsion. In some case the existence of acodeworded compartment is itself classified.

Examples of codewords include, but are not limited to:

LOCSEN has local sensitivity, and may not be shown to local officials.

NATSEN has national sensitivity.

DEDIP, DESDEN may not be shown to certain named officials.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nuclear_propulsionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Navyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nuclear_fusionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UKUSA_Communityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AUSCANNZUKUShttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/caveathttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Security_clearance


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Vetting

Access to protectively marked material is defined according to a vetting level which the individual has achieved.

Vetting is carried out by individual departments to standards laid down in the MPS.

Vetting is intended to assure the department that the individual has not been involved in espionage, terrorism,

sabotage or actions intended to overthrow or undermine Parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent

means. It also assures the department that the individual has not been a member of, or associated with, any

organisation which has advocated such activities or has demonstrated a lack of reliability through dishonesty, lack of

integrity or behaviour. Finally the process assures the department that the individual will not be subject to pressure or

improper influence through past behaviour or personal circumstances.[3]

Five levels of vetting exist:

Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC)

Personnel whose work involves access to locations where protectively marked material is held, in an otherwise

secure manner. A CTC does not allow access to protectively marked material and would typically be required for

reception, catering or cleaning staff in a public sector facility.

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

A Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS, commonly referred to as a BS and formerly known as Basic Check)

allows routine and unrestricted access to material marked 'confidential' and below with occasional, supervised,

access to secret material where required in the course of one's duties. A BS confirms identity, signature, address and

employment/education.

Security Check (SC)

Security Check clearance allows routine and uncontrolled access to material marked 'Secret' and below with

occasional, supervised, access to top secret material where required in the course of one's duties.

SC clearance will normally consist of:

a check against the National Collection of Criminal Records and relevant departmental and police records

in accordance with the Security Service Act 1989, where it is necessary to protect national security or to

safeguard the economic well-being of the United Kingdom from threats posed by persons outside the British

Islands, a check against Security Service records

credit reference checks and a review of personal finances

In some circumstances further enquiries, including an interview with the subject, may be carried out. The review

period is set by vetting department but ten years is the norm.

Security Check Enhanced (SCE)

Security Clearance Enhanced allows routine and uncontrolled access to material marked 'Secret' and below with

supervised access to top secret material where required in the course of one's duties.

SCE is a new level of clearance intended for those that carry out regular work related to top secret information but do

not require unrestricted access to top secret documents. It came into use July 2007.

SCE clearance will normally consist of:




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credit reference checks and a review of personal finances

an interview with the person being vetted and/or references from people who are familiar with the person's

character in both home and work environment.

Developed Vetting (DV)

Developed Vetting allows routine and unrestricted access to material marked 'top secret' and below.

DV clearance will normally consist of:





credit references checks and a review of personal finances

an interview with the person being vetted - to ensure there is no evidence of i) bribes received or paid and ii) an

opportunity for being bribed or blackmailed due to debt or embarrassing expenditure

references from people who are familiar with the person's character in both the home and work environment.

These may be followed by interviews. Enquiries will not necessarily be confined to past and present employers

and nominated character referees.

clearance is re-examined following any stressful encounter, this includes a psychological re-evaluation.

DV clearance is subject to review over a period not exceeding eighteen months.

References

[1] http:/ /www.cabinetoffice. gov. uk/spf/faqs.aspx

[2] http:/ /www.cabinetoffice. gov. uk/media/207318/hmg_security_policy. pdf

[3] Hansard, Written answers 15 Dec 1994 Hansard online (http://www.publications. parliament.uk/pa/cm199495/cmhansrd/1994-12-15/

Writtens-4. html)

Los Alamos table of equivalent US and UK classifications (http://badge.lanl. gov/uk-usa_classification.shtml)

(dated)
http://badge.lanl.gov/uk-usa_classification.shtmlhttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199495/cmhansrd/1994-12-15/Writtens-4.htmlhttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199495/cmhansrd/1994-12-15/Writtens-4.htmlhttp://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/207318/hmg_security_policy.pdfhttp://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/faqs.aspx


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Article Sources and Contributors 5

Article Sources and ContributorsClassified information in the United Kingdom Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=530907935 Contributors: ALR, Alan Liefting, Andrew Swallow, ArnoldReinhold,

Bittersweetfish, Bobrayner, CS46, Canley, Chris the speller, Craggyisland, David Biddulph, Dpmuk, Eggthang, Eliz81, Funandtrvl, GraemeLeggett, Hex, Hydraton31, Iancarter, JPatrickBedell,

James500, Johnteslade, Jonwhite, Kevinsmithgb, Matsna, Mauls, Nabokov, Nujjer, Omeganumber, Otolemur crassicaudatus, Pdfpdf, Pleriche, PyreneesJIM, Qwyrxian, Reinyday, Rich

Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Robertbowerman, SchreiberBike, Seansmyth10, Secretlondon, Securitycleared, Securityvacancy, Shlgww, Stabiloboss2010, Tim!, Timberframe, Timdwilliams,

TreasuryTag, Welsh, Whythe, Woohookitty, 59 anonymous edits

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