Chapter 20-400 Department of Defense Research Security Program

20-410 Scope

Section 20-400 summarizes the unique requirements of the DOD's Research Security Program, as established in the DOD Industrial Security Manual (see Section 20-F01). The DOD Research Security Program covers all research involving access to classified materials or cleared facilities, when the research is sponsored by DOD.

20-420 Dod Security Policy and Objectives

The DOD Research Security Program is designed to provide:

--A system for the protection, control and dissemination of information the disclosure of which would be detrimental to national security;

--A system to control the export of arms, ammunition, and implements of war, including unclassified technical data and information relating thereto; and

--A system to control the export of U.S. commodities and unclassified technical data that would make a significant contribution to the military potential of any other nation or nations, and that would prove detrimental to the national security of the U.S.

Subparagraphs b. and c. above are discussed in Chapter 11, Intellectual Property and Related Matters. DOD implements subparagraph a. above at the University through a Security Agreement between DOD and The Regents.

20-430 Dod Security Definitions

a. Classified Agreements

An agreement that requires access to classified information by the contractor or designated employees in the performance of tasks or services specified in the agreement. (The Government may construe the agreement to be classified, even though the agreement document is not classified). (See Section 20-311.)

b. Classified Document

A document containing information, the disclosure of which could damage the national security of the United States.

c. Confidential

The lowest DOD classified level applied to information whose unauthorized disclosure could be expected to cause damage to national security.

d. Secret

The DOD classification level between Confidential and Top Secret that is applied to information whose unauthorized disclosure could be expected to cause serious damage to national security.

e. Top Secret

The DOD highest classification level applied to information whose unauthorized disclosure could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.

f. Need-to-Know

A determination made by the possessor of classified information that a prospective recipient, in the interest of national security, has a requirement for access to, knowledge of, or possession of classified information in order to perform tasks or services essential to the fulfillment of a classified contract or program.

g. Personnel Security Clearance

An administrative determination by DOD based on an individual's personal history and National Agency Check or background investigation that the individual is eligible, from a security point of view, for access to classified information of the same or lower category as the level of the personnel security clearance being granted (e.g., Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret).

h. Facility Security Clearance

An administrative determination that, from a security viewpoint, a facility is eligible for access to classified information of a certain category (e.g., Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret).

20-440 DoD Security Responsibilities

The DOD Security Agreement (see Section 20-420) calls for the University to do the following:

--Provide and maintain a system of security controls in accordance with the DOD Industrial Security Manual (see Section 20-F01);

--Prepare Standard Practice Procedures consistent with the DOD Industrial Security Manual;

--Determine that any subcontractor, subbidder, individual, or organization proposed for the furnishing of supplies or services that will involve access to classified information has executed a DOD Security Agreement; and

--Accord authorized DOD representatives the right to inspect at reasonable intervals the procedures, methods, and facilities utilized by the University in complying with the requirements of the DOD Industrial Security Manual.

In return, the Government agrees to do the following:

--Indicate, when necessary, by security classification (Top Secret, Secret, or Confidential) the degree of importance to the national defense of information pertaining to supplies, services, and other matters to be furnished by the University to the Government, or by the Government to the University;

--Indicate by a marking additional to the classification marking that, when atomic energy information is involved, the information is "restricted data" (see Section 20-540a.); and

--Designate, upon written application, University employees who may have access to classified information.

The specific procedures designed to comply with the requirements of the DOD Security Agreement and the DOD Industrial Security Manual are found in the Universitywide Standard Practice Procedures for Safeguarding National Security Information. In addition, campuses issue their own Standard Practice Procedures Safeguarding National Security Information for local implementation in accordance with Section 20-320.