Sources of Classified Technologies
Classified technologies are programs developed by the United States Government that safeguard national security vulnerabilities and capabilities. Some of these technologies include nuclear materials, weapons of mass destruction, and production methods. These technologies are regulated by various laws and regulations to prevent their misuse. There are a number of ways to obtain classified information. Here is a look at some of the main ones.
Misuse of classified technologies
The mishandling of classified information can pose a danger to the national security, and the government must take action to protect the public from such threats. Federal prosecutors have the authority to investigate and prosecute people who violate these laws. The penalties for mishandling classified information depend on the type of violation. For example, someone who viewed classified materials in a non-official capacity could be prosecuted under the Espionage Act.
The misuse of classified technologies can be prevented by adopting policies and procedures that protect national security. First, agencies must make sure that they properly indicate what is classified and what is not. They must also include information on sanctions for misuse of classified information.
Control systems
Control systems are classified technologies used by government agencies for national security purposes. These classified technologies are governed by executive directives and are often classified as IC information. This means that only certain people with clearance levels can access them. For example, a Navy control system might be classified TOP SECRET/SPECIAL ACCESS REQUIRED (SAR)-BLACK LIGHT.
These control systems come in two types: closed-loop and open-loop. The former utilize feedback mechanisms and use a resonant frequency to achieve desired control outcomes. The latter, on the other hand, does not use feedback and instead runs in a preset manner.
Dissemination controls
In order to avoid the release of classified technologies to the public, the United States government implements dissemination controls for classified technologies. These controls are based on the classification of the technology and the agency that created it. The first word of a codename comes from a block of pre-approved terms, while the second word is chosen at random. The Department of Defense has its own rules and procedures for codenames, while the other branches of the government use different methods. For example, the Department of Justice often assigns codenames to operations and programs.
Under the classification system, classified materials have various compartments. Each compartment represents a subset of the overall control system. For instance, the HUMINT Control System has two compartments: HSC-O and HSC-P. For example, if the NGA wanted to study rubidium drones, it could set up a TOP SECRET program to investigate their use. The materials in this program would be accessible only to individuals with the appropriate security clearance.
Sources of classified information
Some sources of classified information are unclassified and can be released to individuals without clearance. Others may be restricted in their release and may fall under the definition of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). For example, law enforcement bulletins published by U.S. media are usually classified U//LES, or Unclassified – Law Enforcement Sensitive. These are usually only released to law enforcement agencies and may sometimes be released to the public.
Sources of classified information are often identified through whistleblowers. These individuals are often government employees who have leaked classified information. Government officials who want to keep this information secret may be inclined to leak it to the media, which would compromise the national security of the United States.
