Security Classification

Mandatory	Repeatable	Data Type	Authority	Level Available	A/V Only	Public Element
No	Yes	Variable Character Length (40)	Security Classification Authority List	Series File Unit Item	No	Yes

Definition:	The highest level of national security protections or classified nuclear information protections on the archival materials.

Purpose:	Alerts users to the national security classification of, or nuclear information in restricted archival materials. Provides users with an indication of the clearance level needed to access the materials.

Relationship:	This element is dependent on Specific Access Restriction. The selection of some terms from the Specific Access Restriction Authority List in Specific Access Restriction requires the use of Security Classification as described in the Guidance section for Specific Access Restriction.

Guidance:	Indicate the level of security classification for the archival materials. Archival materials may have more than one classification. However, in the case of archival materials with Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential information, only the highest level should be indicated. If it is determined that archival materials contain national security classified information, but do not have any markings indicating the level of classification, select the term "Unmarked" from the Security Classification Authority List.

Examples:

Access Restriction Status - Restricted - Fully Specific Access Restriction - FOIA (b)(1) National Security Security Classification - Secret Specific Access Restriction - FOIA (b)(3) Statute Security Classification - Restricted Data/Formerly Restricted Data

[For a document that contains both Secret and Restricted Data information.]

Access Restriction Status - Restricted - Partially Specific Access Restriction - FOIA (b)(1) National Security Security Classification - Confidential

[For a series that contains some Confidential information.]

Access Restriction Status - Restricted - Partially Specific Access Restriction - FOIA (b)(1) National Security Security Classification - Unmarked

[For a series that contains unmarked archival materials containing security classified information.]

Access Restriction Status - Restricted - Partially Specific Access Restriction - Presidential Records Act (p)(1) National Security Classified Security Classification - Unmarked

[For a collection that contains unmarked archival materials containing security classified information.]