97-771
Security Classification Policy and Procedure: E.O. 12958, as Amended
June 04, 2009
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Summary
Largely prescribed in a series of successive presidential executive orders issued over the past 50 years, security classification policy and procedure provide the rationale and arrangements for designating information officially secret for reasons of national security, and for its declassification as well. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first executive order (E.O. 8381) in 1940. Current security classification policy may be found in Executive Order 12958, which was signed by President William Clinton on April 17, 1995. It prescribes a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national security information. As issued, E.O. 12958 declared, If there is significant doubt about the need to classify information, it shall not be classified. Additionally, the order stated If there is significant doubt about the appropriate level of classification, it shall be classified at the lower level. President George W. Bush amended Executive Order 12958 via Executive Order 13292 on March 25, 2003. E.O. 13292 made many changes to E.O. 12958, and eliminated both of the aforementioned significant doubt provisions. On May 27, 2009, President Barack Obama ordered a review of E.O. 12958. The assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (commonly known as the National Security Advisor) is required to submit to the President recommendations and proposed revisions to E.O. 12958 within 90 days. This report will be updated to reflect further presidential or congressional action.
