[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR11.4]

[Page 187-188]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
               CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 
PART 11_SECURITY CLASSIFICATION REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE 
ORDER 11652--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 11.4  Definitions.

    (a) Classified information. Official information which has been 
assigned a security classification category in the interest of the 
national defense or foreign relations of the United States.
    (b) Classified material. Any document, apparatus, model, film, 
recording, or any other physical object from which classified 
information can be derived by study, analysis, observation, or use of 
the material involved.
    (c) Marking. The act of physically indicating the classification 
assignment on classified material.
    (d) National security information. As used in this order this term 
is synonymous with ``classified information.'' It is any information 
which must be protected against unauthorized disclosure in the interest 
of the national defense or foreign relations of the United States.
    (e) Sec. rity classification assignment. The prescription of a 
specific security classification for a particular area or item of 
information. The information involved constitutes the sole basis for 
determining the degree of classification assigned.
    (f) Sec. rity classification category. The specific degree of 
classification (Top Sec. et, Sec. et or Confidential) assigned to 
classified information to indicate the degree of protection required.
    (1) Top Sec. et. Top Sec. et refers to national security information 
or material which requires the highest degree of protection. The test 
for assigning Top Sec. et classification shall be whether its 
unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause 
exceptionally grave damage to the national security. Examples of 
``exceptionally grave damage'' include armed hostilities against the 
United States or its allies; disruption of foreign relations vitally 
affecting the national security; the compromise of vital national 
defense plans or complex

[[Page 188]]

cryptologic and communications intelligence systems; the revelation of 
sensitive intelligence operations; and the disclosure of scientific or 
technological developments vital to national security. This 
classification shall be used with the utmost restraint.
    (2) Sec. et. Sec. et refers to that national security information or 
material which requires a substantial degree of protection. The test for 
assigning Sec. et classification shall be whether its unauthorized 
disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to the 
national security. Examples of ``serious damage'' include disruption of 
foreign relations significantly affecting the national security; 
significant impairment of a program or policy directly related to the 
national security; revelation of significant military plans or 
intelligence operations; and compromise of scientific or technological 
developments relating to national security. The classification Sec. et 
shall be sparingly used.
    (3) Confidential. Confidential refers to that national security 
information or material which requires protection. The test for 
assigning Confidential classification shall be whether its unauthorized 
disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national 
security.