14 C.F.R. § 1203.203 Degree of protection.
Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space
(a) General. Upon determination that information or material must be classified, the degree of protection commensurate with the sensitivity of the information must be determined. If there is reasonable doubt about the need to classify information, it shall be safeguarded as if it were classified pending a determination by an original classification authority, who shall make this determination within 30 days. If there is reasonable doubt about the appropriate level of classification, it shall be safeguarded at the higher level of classification pending a determination by an original classification authority, who shall make this determination within 30 days. (b) Authorized categories of classification. The three categories of classification, as authorized and defined in “the Order,” are set out below. No other restrictive markings are authorized to be placed on NASA classified documents or materials except as expressly provided by statute or by NASA Directives. (1) Top Secret. Top Secret is the designation applied to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security. Examples of exceptionally grave damage include armed hostilities against the United States or its allies; disruption of foreign relations vitally affecting the national security; the compromise of vital national defense plans or complex cryptologic and communications intelligence systems; the revelation of sensitive intelligence operations; and the disclosure of scientific or technological developments vital to national security. (2) Secret. Secret is the designation applied to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to the national security. Examples of serious damage include disruption of foreign relations significantly affecting the national security; significant impairment of a program or policy directly related to the national security; revelation of significant military plans or intelligence operations; and compromise of significant scientific or technological developments relating to national security. (3) Confidential. Confidential is the designation applied to that information or material for which the unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national security. [44 FR 34913, June 18, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 5890, Feb. 9, 1983]
Title 14: Aeronautics and Space
PART 1203—INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM
Subpart B—NASA Information Security Program
§ 1203.203 Degree of protection.
