The government is starting to use new security classifications from April 2, 2014. The authorities say that it’s to speed up work and save the taxpayer money.
More than 700,000 civil servants and military personnel are using the new markings, and the wider public sector will adopt them later at an unspecified date. The new system is designed for working in a digital way and is more straightforward to understand, it is claimed.
The new markings will also allow information to be classified in a more consistent way and make it easier to share information between departments and with partner organisations, without undermining security, according to the Government.
Six become three
The six previous levels of protective marking were Unclassified, Protect, Restricted, Confidential, Secret and Top Secret. There are now three levels of security:
Official
Most public sector information is classed as Official, including routine government businesses, public service delivery and commercial activity. Around 90 per cent of government business will be marked as Official.
Secret
This level is for very sensitive information that justifies heightened protective measures – such as where compromising this could seriously damage military capabilities, internal relations or the investigation of serious organised crime.
Top Secret
The most sensitive information requiring the highest levels of protection from the most serious threats should be marked as Top Secret – such as where compromising could cause widespread loss of life or threaten the security or wellbeing of the country, or friendly nations.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said: We have changed a security classification system that was designed decades ago and introduced a new system fit for the digital age. It will make it easier to share information and save money. There has been a tendency to over-mark documents rather than to manage risk properly. The most important and sensitive materials must continue to be protected as ‘Top Secret’ or ‘Secret’ but for other information the new ‘Official’ category, with its emphasis upon personal responsibility and accountability, will be appropriate for most of what government does.”
For details visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications
