Classified Information Storage Briefing

CLASSIFIED STORAGE POLICY SHIFT

UNCLASSIFIED DOCUMENT

top-se·cret: [top-see-krit]: National security information or material that requires the highest degree of protection and the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.

se·cret: [see-krit]: National security information or material that requires a substantial degree of protection and the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to the national security.

con·fi·den·tial: /[kon-fi-den-shuhl]: National security information or material that requires protection and the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national security.

Date: September 22^nd, 2009

Your company has been working on several projects for the United States Government. Some of this work is deemed Top Secret. Information about this project is required to be stored in a GSA Approved Security Container. Current options include Class 5 and Class 6. Class 5, generally speaking, is for the storage of anything other than Classified Documents – Think physical items such as weapons, ammunition, evidence, Schedule II Narcotics, access control keys, etc. Class 6 is the lower rated of the two and is required for the storage of Top Secret information.

Other projects are deemed Secret or Confidential by Federal standards. The containers you have been using to store information about these projects are simply steel filing cabinets with a metal lock bar that runs down the entire container and is secured with a key operated or combination padlock.

Date: October 1^st, 2012

Up until today’s date, October 1^st, 2012, the steps you have taken to ensure that the physical security requirements set forth by the United States Government have been sufficient. You have passed previous inspections from the DoD and fully expect and assume you will pass any future inspections.

as·sume: [uh-soom]: to take something for granted; presume

As of October 1^st, 2012 you can NO LONGER store ANY Classified Information, regardless of whether it is deemed Top Secret, Secret, or Confidential in ANYTHING OTHER THAN A GSA APPROVED SECURITY CONTAINER.

According to the word flowing through the grapevine, there will be inspections, and infractions will be met with serious consequences, up to and including pulling government contracts!

This is a serious issue, a dramatic change in policy, and a matter that needs to be given utmost attention. Large DoD Subcontractors are acting now. There is a VERY limited production capability in this market. Do not wait until the last minute to evaluate your current and future storage needs.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us to discuss your situation.

Bottom Line: If you store any type or level of Classified Information YOU WILL be directly affected by this policy shift.