Dear Col. Edwards:

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04007A001100040032-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2000
• Sequence Number: 32
• Publication Date: June 12, 1952
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Rejease 2001/09/07: CIA-RDP78-04007AQ$1100040032-1
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June 12, 1952
*DOJ Declassification/Release
Decision on File*
Col. Sheffield Edwards
Security Officer
Central Intelligence Agency
2430 E Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Col. Edwards:
The ICIS Subcommittee on Executive Order 10290 has completed
its review of the CIA regulations for the security of classified
documents,, forwarded to the Subcommittee with Mr. Wolfts letter of
March 13.
While security procedures prescribed in these regulations
appear to be in conformance with the Executive Order, we recommend
particular attention be given to the following points:
1. Provision for declassification procedure, including
effective and continuing review of classified security
material for purposes of declassification or downgrading.
2. Provision for orientation and training of employees with
respect to security safeguards, unless such provision is
made in other rules or directives.
3. Provision for inspection or reporting to insure consistent
application of security safeguards and procedures, unless
such provision is made in other directives.
With respect to Item 1 above,, it is the view of the Subcommittee
that sound security practices require a precisely defined procedure for
declassification. In order to prevent inadvertent disclosure, which,
in effect, amounts to undesirable declassification under certain circum-
stances, the agency security regulations should state clearly the pro-
cedure and the authority necessary for proper declassification action.
With respect to Items 2 and 3 above, the Subcommittee notes that
Mr. Wolfts letter of transmittal states these functions are given a great
deal of attention in:the CIA. Our view is that the activities related
to training and inspection should be mandatory and responsibilities
assigned in agency-wide directives.
Approved For Release 2001/09/07 : CIA-RDP78-04007AO01100040032-1
 Approved For Base 2001/09/07.: CIA-RDP78-04007A1100040032-1
i We would like to make the general observation that the examples
cited under each security classification grade might be made more pre-
cise in order to provide helpful guidance to the employee working under
these regulations. In this connection, we would like to suggest you
give some study to the feasibility of developing a classification guide
for CIA which would outline the actual areas of information in which a
requirement exists for security classifications of specific grades.
Such a guide is also of great value for declassification purposes.
The revision of the regulations and their resubmission to the
Subcommittee for review should not be delayed pending the development
and adoption of guides,
While considerable time has been taken in preparing for effective
review by the Subcommittee of agency regulations, we are now prepared to
expedite any subsequent review of revised regulations. It is requested
that the revised regulations be forwarded for review as promptly as
possible and that the Subcommittee be advised at the earliest practicable
date as to any other action which the agency may take or comment which
you may have on the above suggestions.
For the Subcommittee,
ICIS Subcommittee on Executive Order 10290
Executive Secret
Edward R. Trapnell
Approved For R~Iease 2001/09/07 : CIA-RDP78-04007A001100040032-1
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