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Chief FOIA Officers Council (CFOC) Technology Committee FOIA and Classified Information Working Group

Last Updated: January 24, 2021

Members:  Eric Stein
                        Michael Binder
                        Mark Dorgan
                        Beth Fidler
                        Robert Fahs
                       Jennifer Dryer

Objective: This working group will focus on FOIA issues involving how technology is used for classified, classifiable, and declassified information, as well as the process to classify and declassify information.  This group will review publicly available classification and declassification reports and will consult with interagency bodies and oversight bodies such as the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) and the National Declassification Center (NDC) at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Proposed Deliverables and Target Deadlines:

  1. Examine how other government agencies have used and are using technology to work on classification and declassification issues with FOIA. - Target deadline:  February 28, 2021

    This is a research deliverable.  Review existing documents and reports, talk to FOIA professionals who are open to sharing their experiences, etc.  Possibly consult the Information Security Oversight Office and the National Declassification Center located at the National Archives and Records Administration.  By the deadline, we will have finished our preliminary research.
     
  2. Develop a short paper on Classification and Declassification Technology Considerations for FOIA Professionals. - Target Deadline:  March 31, 2021

    Based on the research done for deliverable #1, this working group will develop a brief paper about classification and declassification issues facing FOIA programs (with a focus on technology) and any identified best practices with technology and resolving known issues.  For example, what kind of classification and declassification training is provided to FOIA professionals throughout their careers?  Are there best practices among agencies in such training?
     
  3. Event for FOIA Professionals – Presentations on Issues and Best Practices on Classification and Declassification Technology Matters in FOIA - Target Deadline: March 2021 (Specific Date TBD) 

    Building off the paper in #2 above, host an event for FOIA professionals to discuss best practices and challenges in using technology on classification/declassification issues and technology or on any of the topics covered in #2 above.
     
  4. Participate in the Vendor Day held by the Technology Committee/Office of Information Policy (OIP)/Office of Government Information Services (OGIS).
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