The’safe hand’ method of transportation is used to transport classified information that requires protective markings to an authorized individual. This person is responsible for its carriage and safekeeping.
Classified documents should always be hand carried between offices within the Executive Office of the President complex and a continuous chain of receipts obtained for all Top Secret material that is deposited or mailed outside a facility. Read more about : which of the following methods may be used to transmit top secret material.
1. By Courier
Top secret information must be hand-carried to the intended recipient for security reasons. This may be done by the EOP Security Officer or through a messenger-courier system specially created for this purpose.
It may also be transmitted by commercial air transport or government air transport, in the case of transportation outside the continental United States. When transporting Top Secret information, a continuous chain of receipts must be maintained covering each person who takes custody of the material during transit.
Couriers must not be permitted to leave classified materials in hotel rooms, automobile trunks or luggage racks, car glove boxes or passenger compartments of commercial aircraft, private residences, public lockers, or unattended vehicles. The courier must keep the information in their possession at all times and must not discuss it with anyone except for the person to whom they are delivering it.
When sending classified material through a commercial courier or a postal agency, it must be double-wrapped with the classification marking and Form DS-0007 on both sides. It must be accompanied by a complete return address as specified in 14 FAH-4 H-311.3 and by the completed Diplomatic Pouch Mail Registration.
Classified information carrying endorsement markings such as New Zealand Eyes Only must be transported according to the requirements for those classification levels.
Whenever possible, the courier should be traveling with another person who is familiar with security procedures and who will be able to assist in the event of an emergency such as a car accident or medical emergency.
If that is not feasible, the courier should carry a copy of a letter stating the classified information is to be handed over to an authorized representative of the receiving foreign government, along with the necessary documentation and security forms.
2. By Air
As part of the overall system of security, air transportation offers some additional protection for classified material. The sensitivity of the information must be considered, however, before it can be shipped via commercial or government air. The information must be marked to indicate its classification and to identify the destination.
The label should include the full, official name and classified mailing address of the activity (not an individual) and the addressee’s title and the class code word for his or her department, office, or other unit. The sender’s name and classified mailing address should not appear on the outer envelope. The sender’s telephone number and the teletypewriter number of the receiving activity should be included for use in case of problems or questions.
Classified material may be transported between two specified points within the United States or its territories by air, provided that: Read more about : which of the following methods may be used to transmit top secret material.
a) It is properly marked. b) It is securely sealed. c) It is placed in the hold of an authorized commercial or government aircraft carrier. d) It is under constant surveillance by a duly cleared U.S. shipper’s security officer while in transit.
Each DoD agency executing an international agreement or contract that will result in the international transfer of classified material shall consult, as appropriate, with the originating military department and the DIS regional security office.
Cleared contractors who propose to ship bulk classified materials as freight will be required to submit a transportation plan for review and approval by the DoD agency that owns the international contract. These procedures should be incorporated into the contracts or agreements and documented in the records of the contractor. In addition, a copy of the transportation plan shall be carried with the shipment to the foreign destination.
3. By Sea
The highest classification of material may be transmitted by sea provided that a suitable secure means is available to control it at all times. This is possible when the classified material is shipped between points within the United States and its territories and possessions.
In these circumstances, the recipient government’s designated representative must be able to receive the shipment at the point of embarkation (POE) and the transportation is accomplished under the supervision of an appropriate cleared U.S. escort at all times.
If the classified information is to be transported by pouch, it must be in a pouch that is sealed, not opened, or discussed except with persons having security clearance and a need to know. In addition, the contents of a pouch must be labeled UNCLASSIFIED or SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. The sender shall maintain a registry number for the pouch and return empty pouches to KCC.
Prior to the consummation of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) transaction that will result in the shipment of classified material by sea, the DoD Component initiating the FMS transaction shall consult with DoD transportation authorities (Military Traffic Management Command or the Military Sealift Command or Military Airlift Command, as appropriate) to determine whether secure shipping from a CONUS point of origin to the ultimate foreign destination is feasible.
The contracting DoD agency and DIS Regional Security Office also will consult the owning Military Department’s transportation authority to ensure that the transportation plan meets DOD security standards.
Classified information originating with a DoD activity that is to be shipped abroad, up to and including Secret, is hand-carried between offices within the EOP complex and to and from locations outside the EOP complex by cleared personnel. It is not required to be double enveloped in these cases.
4. By Land
In some cases, the transportation of classified material is done by land. This may include transporting materials within the United States (for example, via intermodal transfers or between different modes of transportation) or to and from a foreign country. Generally, the transportation of top secret material by land is only undertaken when other methods are not feasible.
If classified material is to be transported by a personal vehicle, the person who is carrying it must ensure that adequate protection against all foreseeable contingencies is provided. This is especially important if the information is to be transported over long distances or across multiple geographic regions.
Classified information that is to be transported in a private vehicle must be prepared as follows:
The body of the records must be wrapped in opaque paper, preferably heavy brown paper or a brown shipping envelope. The inner envelope should be marked “CONFIDENTIAL” or “SECRET”. An outer envelope that is not addressed to a specific individual must then be placed over the inner envelope.
The outer envelope should be sealed and marked with the highest classification marking of the records contained therein. All seams of the package must be taped securely. The document(s) and inner envelope should then be placed in a secure transport container that is to be delivered to the commercial transportation company.
The transport container is to be under the constant surveillance of a cleared U.S. Government official who is authorized to accomplish the transfer of custody upon arrival at the POE. Similarly, if classified materials are to be delivered to the headquarters of a foreign government, they are to be escorted by a designated U.S. Government official who is authorized by a DoD office to accomplish the transfer of custody.
5. By Electronic Means
When information is transmitted electronically, it must be done using secure communications circuits and an approved transmission system. The system must have a capability to provide document security and authentication, and have controls that prevent accidental disclosure or dissemination of classified information.
Electronic communication of Top Secret information is only permitted between individuals with clearances to receive the information. Transmission may be by fax, telephone or email and must include all the protections required for physical transfer of the information.
The sensitivity or classification of information and caveated equipment when it is taken away from the agency depends on the sensitivity or security classification, who the information is going to and from, where they are travelling and what kind of transfer method is used.
For example, a government department might have to follow more stringent procedures for transferring information and materials that is classified Top Secret than it would for Confidential or Sensitive, because it relates to national security and the dissemination of the information could result in criminal penalties.
Entities must ensure that if sensitive and security classified information is to be transferred to another entity, it is enclosed in an outer protective barrier and that the protective markings are clearly displayed. The outer barrier could be some form of sealed opaque covering such as a regular mail envelope, a SCEC-approved single use outer envelope, a secure briefcase or satchel or a pouch.
The inner envelope should be securely addressed and a receipt for the information, OMB Form 87 (not required for Confidential material) attached to or enclosed in it. The recipient must sign the receipt and return it to the sender. Read more about : which of the following methods may be used to transmit top secret material.
In general, the information must be marked with a banner line that states the sensitivity and classification level of the document, the portion markings and a CUI designation indicator. It is also important to have a system of record keeping that allows an entity to monitor the incoming transfer of information.
