Nuclear Weapons

Administering Classification Policy at ODNI

02.09.11 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

At the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, “The original classification of information is rarely necessary,” according to an October 2010 ODNI Instruction.  But that’s because most relevant information is already classified.  There is not much need for new classification activity.

Several recent ODNI Instructions that govern the administration of the classification and declassification programs within the Office were released this week under the Freedom of Information Act (all pdf):

“Classification of ODNI Information,” ODNI Instruction 80.12, October 25, 2010.

“Original Classification Authority Delegation,” ODNI Instruction 80.16, October 21, 2010.

“ODNI Director, Information Management,” ODNI Instruction 10.20, May 18, 2009.

“Particular care should be exercised to avoid both over and under classifying ODNI information,” the Instructions say.

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