SSOP No. 4
0352/RP
01 July 94

From: Head, Security Office

To: All Codes

Subj: EMERGENCY PLAN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CLASSIFIED MATERIAL

Ref:

(a) OPNAVINST 5510.1H
(b) OPNAVINST C5510.101D

1. Purpose. To establish procedures in compliance with references (a) and (b) for the protection, removal, or destruction of classified material in case of emergency such as fire, natural disaster, civil disturbance, terrorist activities, or enemy attack.

2. Background.

a. Reference (a) dictates that each command which handles classified information must develop an emergency plan for protection of classified material. Reference (b) similarly communicates the requirement for an emergency evacuation and destruction plan specifically for activities maintaining NATO classified material. As used herein, the term "classified material" will refer to all classified material except COMSEC and SCI, for which separate procedures apply.

b. Although the importance of protecting classified material cannot be discounted, it must be accomplished in such a way as to minimize the risk of loss of life or injury to employees.

3. Action.

a. If there is no imminent danger to employees:

(1) Secure classified material in authorized containers before evacuation.

(2) If authorized storage is not immediately available, attempt to carry classified material from the area, seeking assistance from other cleared personnel as needed.

(3) Thoroughly check work spaces for unsecured classified material prior to departure.

(4) Should circumstances require that classified material be left unattended, immediately report this fact to the Security Officer, X34615.

(5) When feasible, the Security Officer will then designate personnel to monitor the area perimeter and note unauthorized access to the area.

(6) Upon cancellation of the emergency situation and when given the authorization to do so, employees will return to the work area and inventory any unsecured classified material, reporting the results of this action to the Security Manager, X33186. As appropriate, employees will also check security containers, strong rooms, and vaults for evidence of forced entry.

b. If there is imminent danger to employees:

(1) Evacuate immediately, leaving classified material in place. Under no circumstances should employees endanger themselves attempting to secure or remove classified information from work spaces.

(2) When possible, report the existence of unattended classified material to the area supervisor who will then, as conditions allow, either arrange for monitoring of the area perimeter or contact the Security Officer to report the situation.

(3) Item 5, above, applies.

c. Should classified destruction be warranted (e.g., enemy/terrorist attack):

(1) When possible, material should be destroyed using equipment (shredders, pulverizers, degaussers) previously authorized for classified destruction.

(2) When such equipment is not available, or circumstances otherwise dictate, material may be destroyed by any means that will ensure positive destruction of the material. Alternate means include burning, not normally permissible due to pollution considerations.

(3) As possible, document the destruction of all accountable material by noting, at minimum, the accountability number (barcode and or S-number, N-number, etc.). Report the destruction to Codes 0351 and 0353.

d. Should circumstances preclude the protection or destruction of ALL classified material, then appropriate prioritization, based on the classification level of the material, should occur. Consequently, the protection/destruction of Top Secret material must take precedence over Secret material, and so on. Note: NATO material should receive the same priority as equally classified U.S. classified material.

4. Responsibility. Management at all levels shall, upon receipt of this SSOP, ensure that these procedures are posted to allow for easy access by personnel responsible for safeguarding classified material. Additionally, they must be posted within any security container housing classified NATO information.