DNI Directive on Unauthorized Disclosures (2007) Released

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence last week released Intelligence Community Directive 701 (pdf), entitled “Security Policy Directive for Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information,” dated March 14, 2007.

The directive sets forth procedures and requirements for identifying and reporting suspected unauthorized disclosures of classified information that are likely to cause damage to national security interests.  These may include unauthorized disclosures to the media concerning U.S. intelligence activities, the loss or compromise of classified information storage media or equipment, the discovery of clandestine surveillance devices, or the compromise of the intelligence operations of foreign partners.  All such disclosures are to be reported to the DNI via the Special Security Center (SSC), a component of the ODNI.

The 2007 directive, signed by then-DNI J. Michael McConnell, seems measured and matter of fact by comparison with the 2002 directive (pdf) that it replaced, which was issued by then-DCI George J. Tenet.  The Tenet directive had a lot more adjectives (“strong”, “aggressive”) connoting forceful opposition to leaks, as well as a bit of chest-thumping (leaks “shall not be tolerated or condoned”).  For whatever reason, most of that colorful language was removed in the 2007 directive.  A copy of the 2002 Tenet DCI Directive 6/8, which was originally obtained by Wikileaks in 2008, is here.