What Are The Authorized Places For Storing Classified Information?

Last Updated on 2 months by Touhid

Today, in this post, we’ll give you a better indication what are the authorized places for storing classified information. All classified information must be stored in authorized and secured places. Classified information is very sensitive and important data so, only authorized persons can access the information.

What is Classified Information?

Classified information is the very sensitive data or material of a government, international organization, or agency that must be secured in authorized places. The information must be secured against unauthorized access to protect the national defense of a country.

For example, government policy and the number of weapons such as air guns, bombs, rifles, launchers, and Grenade are classified information for a country.

Only authorized persons can access classified or national security information because government rules restrict the data. If the information is mishandled or compromised, then criminal activities can happen.

What Are The Levels Of Classified Information?

Classified information should be protected against unauthorized disclosure or cyber threats to secure national defense and foreign relationships. There are four levels of classified information Confidential, Secret, Top secret, and, Restricted.

The national security of the United States (US) has categorized classified information into three levels Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.

Confidential Information

Confidentiality is the lowest level of classified information. When confidential information is publicly disclosed by a third party, directly or indirectly, then it could damage the national security of a country.

Examples of confidential information are personal identification numbers, plans, prototypes, documentation, social security numbers, and disciplinary actions.

Secret Information

This is the second highest level of classified information. When the information or material is unauthorized released, then it could reasonably cause serious harm to the state security and national interests of a country. So, this type of information is called secret information.

Examples of secret information are military plans, technological improvements and disruption of foreign relations are the secret information of a country.

Top Secret Information

Top secret is the top level of classified information or material which requires a higher level of security protection. When the information or material is unauthorized released, then it could be expected to cause dangerous damage to the state security and national interests of a country.

Examples of top-secret information are national defense tactics, intelligence systems, and sensitive intelligence processes are the top-secret information of a country.

What Are The Authorized Places For Storing Classified Information?

Classified information must be stored in authorized and secured places to protect it from unauthorized access disclosure or cyber-attacks. To access the classified information, the person must have authentication from the national security of a country or agency.

Typically, there should be a formal security clearance from the higher authority of national security to access the classified information or material.

If someone intentionally discloses classified information without authorization, then it will be a federal crime under the Espionage Act, and he/ she must be punished.

What are the authorized places for storing classified information? There are some best-authorized places to store classified information, which are as follows:

• Classified information is stored in an authorized Computer or Server.
• Information is stored in an authorized Individual’s Human Brain.
• Confidential information is stored in an authorized Individual’s Hand.
• And General Services Administration (GSA) Approved Container.

Authorized Computer or Server

The authorized computer or server can be the authorized place for storing classified information or documents. Only the eligible person in the computer system can access and store the classified information. The person can’t share or send the information to others or can’t use it for personal intentions.

Who can access the classified information? There should be a security access control for who can access the information in computer systems.

The classified information must be encrypted before storing it on a server or in a database. Encryption is the process of plain text information being converted into a form that is unreadable to unauthorized users.

Read more about the Encryption Process.

The computer or server must be secured to protect it from unauthorized use and malware. Here we have mentioned some tips on how to secure your computer or server.

• Monitor Login Attempts.
• Use a strong password.
• Install Antivirus Software.
• Use a license-based Operating System.
• Remove Unnecessary Services.
• Use Two Factor Authentication (2FA) for Login.
• Use authorized USB or HD for Data Transfer.

Authorized Individual’s Human Brain

This is another authorized place for storing classified information. The human brain can store valuable information or facts within a second and process them in the form of memory. The human brain can grip the previous or currently happening events and store the information.

There is no chance to disclose classified information from the human brain if the man doesn’t compromise the information to others.

So, the human brain can be the authorized place for storing classified information. There is some classified information such as personal identification numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials that can store the human brain.

Authorized Individual’s Hand

The person must be trustworthy and authentic and be working with sensitive data of an organization or a country. The authorized person should be responsible for maintaining the security of classified information.

He/ she can take some protective measures to ensure data security such as:

• Store the information in a secure place.
• Lock the device that stores the information.
• Avoid sharing information with others.
• Entry is restricted to your office room.
• Don’t give hardcopy documents to others.
• Guests aren’t allowed into your office room.
• Secure delivery of confidential documents.

So, the approved individual’s hand can be the authorized place for storing confidential information.

General Services Administration (GSA) Approved Container 

What are the authorized places for storing classified information? The classified information should be stored in a General Services Administration (GSA) approved container.

General Services Administration (GSA) is an agency or organization of the United States government established on July 1, 1949. The Headquarters of GSA is GSA Building; 1800 F Street NW, Washington, D.C.

General Services Administration-approved containers are mainly used to store classified information, materials, documents, evidence, sensitive information, secure funds weapons, etc.

The classified information and other sensitive documents or materials of the government or military are required to be stored in a GSA-approved container.

The Federal offices, Government, Military, Universities, and Corporate Organizations need to store their classified information in GSA-approved containers.

Learn more about the General Services Administration (GSA).

Conclusion

Classified information should be stored in authorized places to ensure the data security of an organization or the national security of a country. We have defined what is classified information, what levels of classified information and what are the authorized places for storing classified information. You must ensure the eligibility for access to the classified information.