CLASSIFIED MATERIAL CONTROL To protect the interests of the United States, certain information cannot be available to other countries. This information is given a classifica- tion that determines how much protection it needs. RESPONSIBILITIES The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is responsible to the Secretary of the Navy (SEC- NAV) for all policies related to the maintenance of the security of all classified information within the Naval Establishment. The Information and Personnel Security Program Regulation, OP- NAVINST 5510.1, known as the Security Manual, is the source of the Navy’s security program. From SECNAV, to the CNO, to your com- manding officer, to your command security manager, and to you, responsibilities and procedures are laid down and specified to protect classified information. Do not let information fall into the wrong hands through careless talk or improper handling and safeguarding of written information. CATEGORIES OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION Information is classified in three categories, each category requiring its own level of protec- tion. These categories are Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential. Top Secret Top Secret is the designation applied only to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security. Examples of exceptionally grave damage include armed hostilities against the United States or its allies; disruption of foreign relations vitally affecting the national security; the compromise of vital national defense plans or complex cryptologic and communication intelligence’ systems; and the disclosure of scientific or technological developments vital to national security. Secret Secret is the information or designation applied only to material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security. Examples of serious damage include disruption of foreign relations significantly affecting the national security; significant impairment of a program or policy directly related to national security; revelation of significant military plans or intelligence operations; and the compromise of significant scientific or technological developments relating to national security. Confidential Confidential is the designation applied to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause identifiable damage to national security. Examples of identifiable damage include the compromise of information that indicates strength of ground, air, and naval forces in the United States and overseas areas; disclosure of technical information used for training, maintenance, and inspection of classified munitions of war; revela- tion of performance characteristics, test data, design, and production data of munitions of war. SECURITY CLEARANCES A security clearance is a determination made that an individual is eligible for access to classified information up to a specific level. However, it is not an authorization for access to that informa- tion. It is important to separate the two terms clearance and access. Clearance is determined after one of several types of personal investiga- tions is completed. Access is granted when an individual has a need to know information up to a specific level. Clearances are either final or interim. Final clearances are granted when all investigation requirements have been met and are favorable. Interim clearances are granted, not to exceed 6 months, when it is established that any delay would be harmful to the national interest and a personal investigation request has been submitted. MARKING CLASSIFIED MATERIAL When it is determined that information or material should be assigned a classification, such information must be conspicuously marked as described in the following paragraphs. All original copies of letters, office memoran- dums, messages, and other documents that are typed, printed, or written in longhand must be 1-7