NEWS

Defense Intelligence Agency Completes Mandated Classification Review

September 28, 2012

As directed by Executive Order 13526, "Classified National Security Information," the Defense Intelligence Agency initiated a review of its classification guidance to ensure the guidance reflects current circumstances and accurately describes current classification policy. The review also examined classified information that no longer requires protection and can therefore be declassified.

At the conclusion of a year-long review, DIA updated and reissued 179 security classification guides (SCGs) and issued four new ones. Additionally, one guide was determined to be redundant and canceled. No information was declassified or downgraded as a result of the fundamental classification guidance review, and classification durations did not change as a result of the review process.

To satisfy the review process, original classification authorities, security personnel and subject-matter experts reviewed guides to determine whether the guidance reflects current operational and technical circumstances, and to ensure the SCGs meet the standards for classification guidance as described in Executive Order 13526. DIA SCGs were also benchmarked against known SCGs published by other agencies to identify possible redundancies and to ensure that DIA classification determinations were consistent with determinations made by other agencies regarding similar topics.

DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization.

It provides the nation’s most authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities. The agency’s four core competencies -- human intelligence, all-source analysis, counterintelligence and technical intelligence -- enable military operations while also informing policy-makers at the defense and national levels.

DIA’s mission is unique and no other agency matches its military expertise across such a broad range of intelligence disciplines.