Table 1-4.--Classification Parameters
Classification
Use
Top Secret
Information or material that with unauthorized disclosure could result in exceptionally
grave damage to the national security.
Secret
Information or material that with unauthorized disclosure could result in serious
damage to the national security.
Confidential
Information or material that with unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected
to cause damage to the national security.
in the absence of letters or numbers, immediately
(ISP) Regulation, SECNAVINST 5510.36. Guidelines
concerning classifying and safeguarding mine warfare
before the beginning of the portion. The symbols are
information and material are contained in Department
( T S ) f o r To p S e c r e t , ( S ) f o r S e c r e t , ( C ) f o r
of the Navy Security Classification Guidance for Mine
Confidential, and (U) for Unclassified. The handling
Warfare Programs, OPNAVINST C5513.7.
marking (FOUO) is used to denote information that is
For Official Use Only.
CLASSIFIED MATERIAL MARKING
The purpose of marking classified material is to
Subjects and Titles
inform the holder of the classification level and the
Subjects and titles of documents are unclassified
degree of protection required of the material and to
whenever possible to simplify referencing them in
assist in extracting, paraphrasing, downgrading, and
unclassified documents or indexes. A subject or a title
declassifying actions. Therefore, all classified material
is marked with the appropriate symbol immediately
must be marked in a manner that leaves no doubt about
following the subject or the title.
the level of classification assigned to the material,
which parts contain or reveal classified information,
Upgrading, Downgrading, or Declassifying
how long the material must remain classified, and any
Upon notification that information has been
additional measures necessary to protect the material.
upgraded or that downgrading or declassification
Basic Markings
instructions have been changed, the holder must
promptly and conspicuously mark the material
The basic markings are placed on the first page of
containing the information. This annotation must
classified correspondence. The overall classification
is typed at the upper left of the first page. It is
indicate the change, the authority for the action, the
stamped at both top and bottom centers of the page.
date of the action, and the identity of the person making
The classification authority, downgrading, and
the change. Old markings should be canceled, if
declassification instructions are placed at the lower
p r a c t i c a b l e ; h ow eve r, a s a m i n i m u m , t h e n ew
left of the page.
classification, including Unclassified, is placed on the
On the second and succeeding pages, the
cover and on the first page.
classification is stamped at both top and bottom centers
The standard classification, downgrading, and
of the page. The classification may be the overall
declassification markings that are placed on all
c l a s s i fi c a t i o n o f t h e d o c u m e n t o r t h e h i g h e s t
classified material are as follows:
classification of the information on the page.
Classified by
(Note 1)
Portion Marking
Declassify on
(Note 2)
Each portion of a classified document (section,
Downgrade to
(Note 3)
part, paragraph, or subparagraph) is marked to show its
level of classification or nonclassification. This
U.S. documents containing foreign government
requirement eliminates any doubt as to which portions
information are marked as follows:
of a document contain or reveal information requiring
(Note 4)
Classified by
protection. The appropriate symbol is placed
immediately following the portion letter or number, or
Declassify on
(Note 5)
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