TOP SECRET CONTROL PROCEDURES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04007A000400040022-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 12, 2001
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: January 22, 1948
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2005~'f ~ _y P7$ 40 4~ 0 0022-0
JAN 2 2 1949
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N.IORANDUM TO: Executive Director
Executive for Administration and Management
Assistant Director, Office of Reports and Estimates"-
Assistant Director, Office of Special Operations ,s?
Assistant Director, Office of Operations
Assistant Director, Office of Collection and
Dissemination
4
Subject: Top Secret Control Procedures
m T.. V
i ? t
yaressees listed above from the Executive for Inspection and Security,
subject, "Results of Top Secret Control Survey," dated 12 November 1947.
As proposed in. this memorandum, a board, constituted as suggested, was
convened, first on 21 November 1947 and on two occasions subsequent to
that date. At these meetings, and at other times careful consideration
was given to the problems involved and extended discussions were held in
connection with the subject matter.
2. Based upon agreements reached by constituents of the board,
the enclosed proposed Administrative Instruction and record forms were
drawn to provide initial implementation for the two principal considera-
tions presented by the Executive for I. & S. in the memorandum referenced
above.
3. In drafting the proposed Administrative Instruction an effort
has been made to limit its content to those provisions necessary to
establish a decentralized control organization at appropriate administra-
tive levels, define basic terms and prescribe such general responsibili-
ties and procedures as are required. No attempt has been made to spell
out the detail of step-by-step handling and safeguarding procedures, as
it is believed that this responsibility will be best discharged by the
Top Secret Control Officer with the cooperation of the designated Area
Top Secret Control. Officers.
1t. It was the consensus of the representatives comprising the
board that the duties of Area Top Secret Control Officers will not be
such as to require exclusive assignment; rather, that these duties can
be handled, with due allowances, in addition to other administrative
responsibilities. It should be realized, however, that the establishment
and maintenance of efficient control procedures under the proposed plan
places a heavy burden of responsibility for indoctrination and super-
vision upon the Top Secret Control Officer and upon the Area Top Secret
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Control Officers. Strict and continuing administrative surveillance
will be required and is considered entirely warranted.
5. Certain agreements and conclusions of the board which have not
been incorporated in the formal proposed Instruction because of their
nature (being concerned with the details of implementation) are, neverthe-
less, believed to be worthy of mention and active consideration in the
development of operational measures required by the proposed plan. Some
of these matters are as follows:
as It is recommended that each Area Top Secret Control
Officer, working in coordination with the Top Secret Control
Officer (to insure compliance with Agency administrative and
security policies), prepare detailed intra-office operating
procedures for the guidance of personnel within his jurisdic-
tion.
b. Area Top Secret Control procedures should include pro-
vision for periodic inspection of Top Secret logs and material
in each Area jurisdiction to insure that Security Regulations
are being followed.
c. Frequent inspection of all Top Secret material should
be made, with a view toward reducing the number of documents
to the minimum requirement of each. office. Documents no longer
required should be returned to Central Top Secret Control
(Special Distribution Section) for appropriate disposition.
Downgrading should be effected whenever possible.
d. The Top Secret Control Officer should take appropriate
steps to establish improved arrangements for the collection of
Top Secret material for CIA from those agencies from which doc-
uments are regularly received. The matters of minimizing the
number of "pickup" points for CIA couriers and of receipting
for documents should receive special attention.
e. Consideration should be given to the matter of obtaining
better job ratings for Top Secret Couriers in order to enable
employment of permanent and high-caliber personnel.
f. Central Top Secret Control should require periodically
complete listings of Top Secret material held permanently as
reference material or records in each Area Top Secret Control.
The physical locations of Area Top Secret Controls should
be clearly marked by appropriate signs.
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h. Periodic inspections of procedures in the various offices
of CIA will be made at unannounced times by a representative of
the Executive for Inspection and Security to observe compliance
with Security Regulations, offer advice and submit reports and
recommendations.
6. The enclosed instruction and forms have been informally coordi-
nated with the members of the board. It is now desired that formal con-
currence or comment be furnished by the offices of the addressees hereof.
This may be effected by indorsement hereto.
7. Appreciation is expressed for the most cooperative services of
the persons designated to serve on the board.
Mjqp~~~~
Colonel, G.S.C.
Executive for Inspection and Security
1. Administrative Instruction
2. Top Secret Log
3. Signature Record and Cover Sheet
!. Document Receipt
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