Originally and Derivatively Classified Documents Met Most Federal Requirements

WHY WE DID THIS STUDY

The Reducing Over-Classification Act of 2010 mandates that the Inspector General of each agency of the United States with an officer or employee who is authorized to make original classification decisions assess whether applicable classification policies have been adopted, followed, and effectively administered; identify practices that may contribute to misclassification of material; and review progress made pursuant to these assessments. In addition, the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) requested that Inspectors General review their agencies' classified documents to determine whether the information within them was classified in accordance with Federal requirements. This report addresses ISOO's request and identifies practices that may contribute to the misclassification of material.

HOW WE DID THIS STUDY

We reviewed all documents HHS had originally classified as of August 2012 and a purposive sample of derivatively classified documents to determine whether the information within them was classified in accordance with Federal requirements.

WHAT WE FOUND

Of the 43 classified documents reviewed, 36 met all Federal requirements regarding classified National Security Information (NSI). Seven of the reviewed documents (four of the originally and three of the derivatively classified documents) lacked the required portion markings.

WHAT WE RECOMMEND

We recommend that the Office of Security and Strategic Information (OSSI), working on behalf of the Office of the Secretary, ensure that original classification authorities and individuals who derivatively classify NSI receive guidance and training pertaining to the required portion markings. We also recommend that OSSI take appropriate action to apply the required portion markings to reviewed classified documents. OSSI concurred with both recommendations and described actions to address them.