Today, the Public Interest Declassification Board released online its recommendations to the President on Transforming the Security Classification System. The full Report can be found at http://www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb/recommendations/transforming-classification.html. The report centers on the need for new policies for classifying information, new processes for declassifying information, and the imperative for using and integrating technology into these processes. In advance of today’s release, the Board publicized some of its recommendations on its blog Transforming Classification. A public release event is taking place today at the National Archives to discuss the report with current Board members.
Thank you for your post. The Public Interest Declassification Board recently published a report to the President on “Transforming the Security Classification System.” Our report (www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb) makes the case that the current system is outdated and requires fundamental changes. The current system is compromised by over-classification and increasing instances of “leaks” – undermining the credibility of the classification system by blurring the focus of what truly needs protection. Declassification practices are similarly outmoded and incapable of dealing with the growing volume of electronic records that will soon overwhelm declassifiers. A new system is needed, one that uses new technologies and applies them to a new policy framework that best serves our nation. Our recommendations support new policies to improve Government record-keeping practices and to improve the capabilities of the National Declassification Center. We look forward to assisting a White House Steering Committee and the NDC as they seek to modernize policies and practices.