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22 C.F.R. Appendix A to Part 9—Definitions

Title 22 - Foreign Relations

Title 22: Foreign Relations
PART 9—SECURITY INFORMATION REGULATIONS

Appendix A to Part 9—Definitions

For the purpose of these security regulations, the following definitions of terms shall apply.

Agency. A Federal agency, including department, agency, commission etc, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(e).

Original classification. The initial determination that, in the interest of national security, information requires protection against unauthorized disclosure, together with a classification designation signifying the level of protection required.

Original classification authority. The authority vested in an executive branch official to make a determination of original classification. A person having original classification authority may also have the authority to prolong or restore classification.

Originating agency. The agency responsible for the initial determination that particular information is classified.

Information. Any information or material, regardless of its physical form or characteristics, that is owned by, produced by or for, or is under the control of the U.S. Government.

National security information. Information that has been determined pursuant to this Order or any predecessor Order to require protection against unauthorized disclosure and that is so designated.

Foreign government. Includes foreign governments and international organizations of governments.

Foreign government information. Foreign government information is: (1) Information provided by a foreign government or governments, an international organization of governments, or any element thereof with the expectation, expressed or implied, that the information, the source of the information, or both, are to be held in confidence; or (2) Information produced by the United States pursuant to or as a result of a joint arrangement with a foreign government or governments or an international organization of governments, or any element thereof, requiring that the information, the arrangement, or both, are to be held in confidence.

National security. The national defense or foreign relations of the United States.

Confidential source. Any individual or organization that has provided, or that may reasonably be expected to provide, information to the United States on matters pertaining to the national security with the expectation, expressed or implied, that the information or relationship, or both, be held in confidence.

Classification guide. A document issued by an authorized original classifier that prescribes the level of classification and appropriate declassification instructions for specified information to be classified derivatively.

Derivative classification. A determination that information is in substance the same as information currently classified, together with the designation of the level of classification.

Special access program. Any program imposing “need-to-know” or access controls beyond those normally provided for access to Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret information. Such a program may include, but is not limited to, special clearance, adjudication, or investigative requirements, special designations of officials authorized to determine “need-to-know,” or special lists of persons determined to have a “need-to-know.” It does not include special captions such as NODIS, LIMDIS.

Intelligence activity. An activity that an agency within the Intelligence Community is authorized to conduct pursuant to the Order.

Unauthorized disclosure. A communication or physical transfer of classified information to an unauthorized recipient.