National Security Information Handbook

NSI Handbook
Security Classification
The OCA reviewing a classification challenge shall provide a written response to
a challenger, via the NSI Program Team, within 60 days
­ If the OCA is unable to complete the classification challenge review within 60
days, the OCA must notify the NSI Program Team and provide a reasonable
date to complete the review
­ If the challenger is not satisfied with the decision, the challenger may request
a review by an impartial official or panel assigned by the Director, SMD
­ The NSI Program Team will inform the challenger of the OCA's expected
timeframe and inform him/her that if no response from the OCA is received
within 120 days, he/she has the right to forward the challenge to ISCAP for a
decision
­ The challenger may also forward the challenge to ISCAP if the NSI Program
Team has not responded to an internal appeal within 90 days of receipt of the
appeal
Denied challenges shall include, at a minimum:
­ A concise reason for denial of the challenge, unless such reason would reveal
additional classified information
­ The names or titles of the officials reviewing the challenge
­ The challenger's rights to appeal
The NSI Program Team shall inform the challenger of their appeal rights
9. Challengers and the OCA should attempt to keep all challenges, appeals, and
responses unclassified; however, classified information contained in a challenge, an
agency response, or an appeal, shall be handled and protected in accordance with this
handbook. Information being challenged on the basis of classification shall remain
classified until a final decision is made to declassify the information.
Section 3: Derivative Classification
2-300 Derivative Classification Principles
1. Derivative classification is reproducing, extracting, or summarizing information that
is already classified. Marking the newly developed information must be consistent
with the classification markings that apply to the source information.
2. The duplication of existing classified information is not derivative classification, and
must be treated in the same manner as the originally classified information.
3. With the appropriate security clearance, EPA employees involved in the production
or generation of information based on previously classified information are
authorized to derivatively classify information without conferring with the OCA.
4. The overall classification markings and portion markings of the source document
shall supply adequate classification guidance to the derivative classifier. If portion
markings or classification guidance are not found in the source document and no
reference is made to an applicable classification guide, guidance should be obtained
from the originator of the source document. If such markings or guidance are not
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